Weatherbys TBA Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 6m 39.3s

Virginia Chick^t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 132| CD

7/1

C&D winner back in November but not really gone on from that, although in fairness has been asked one or two stiff tasks; never in the hunt when fourth here last time out but this small field might suit, and it's not impossible he could bounce back.

Form: 517024

Samburu Shujaa⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129| BF| D

7/2

Looking nicely handicapped on the best of his hurdles form now but it's not really happening for him over fences as yet, although a mid-race mistake did for him at Newbury last time having jumped well until then; remains capable of better.

Form: 110-855

Trio For Rio^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 123| D

9/2

Hurdles winner last April but has found it hard going over fences, looking a bit one-paced at times; conditions ought not be a problem and suspicion is there's better to come, but others make better cases at this stage.

Form: 41-5354

Quick Wave^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 123

5/1

Stayed on well to land a three-runner event at Leicester last time (heavy ground, 20f) but that race took little winning and this is tougher; upped in trip too, and yard form still below where it ought to be; others more persuasive.

Form: 44/2-P21

Fortescue³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 121| D

7/2

Giant of a horse that's taken time to come to himself, and fences was always going to be his game; two wins in last three starts and form stacks up well, stays this trip and acts in heavy ground, and chances of following up from 4lb higher mark.

Form: 834-121

Hugo 'n Taz^t⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 120| D

4/1

Won the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen on the first start for the yard, that coming back on Boxing Day. not seen since; upped 8lb for that but stamina clearly his long suit and likely has more to offer for new yard.

Form: 58-52P1

Forecasts

Fortescue (7/2), Samburu Shujaa (7/2), Hugo 'n Taz (4/1), Trio For Rio (9/2), Quick Wave (5/1), Virginia Chick (7/1)

A tricky little race to solve and you can make a case for most of them. Samburu Shujaa has the potential to take the race apart from this mark if he can get his jumping together, and Hugo 'n Taz was well fancied to land a regional National on his first start for the yard before duly obliging. Both look dangers to FORTESCUE, who was always going to need time given his size but he's really getting the hang of things now and can score again before the handicapper starts to catch up with him. Virginia Chick isn't easy to catch right but the ability is there if he is on a going day.