N. & L. Franklin Developments Ltd Female Jockeys' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 50.2s

Nesterenko^p1⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-3| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 107

9/1

0-11 over fences (placed four times) and hasn't won since his last start for Nicky Henderson in 2016. Badly out of sorts on his last two starts, but if back to the form of his Haydock run from December he'd have claims from this decreasing mark.

Form: 324535

Pinch Of Ginger¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-3| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107| D

12/1

Triple chase winner, all at around 2m4f and on testing ground. 5lb higher than the last of those, which came at Newcastle in January. Well held over further twice since, but the return to this trip should see him closely involved.

Form: 221167

Silent Steps^b⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 102| C

11/1

Course winner (3m) who also won a soft ground mares' chase at Chepstow over a similar trip last October. Still 2lb higher than that, despite some muss less competitive efforts since. Top pilot booked, but she was also on last time. Bit to prove.

Form: 2177P6

Glorious Boru¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 90

10/3

1-13 in PTPs and 0-12 under rules is not the strongest of recommendations for this son of Brian Boru, but he did manage to produce a marginal career best at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) last time, so he clearly can't be ruled out.

Form: 520362

Battleofthesomme^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 89| BF| C

4/1

Scored here over fences (1m7½f, good to soft) in October, when 8lb lower, and took advantage of the same mark to follow up over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) next time. Still a bit to prove both over this trip and on his form since.

Form: P-11P34

Dalkadam^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Lucy Alexander| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 79

5/1

Hurdles winner (2m, heavy) who has been placed in 6-15 chases without winning one. Was keen enough but not disgraced on his recent return from over a year off. Stays this far, and could see him going well here if better for that run.

Form: 85244-5

Rollerball Rocco⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Miss S L Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: C T Pogson| OR: 79

11/4

Sole win came over 3m (heavy) at Uttoxeter last season, when 2lb higher. Has a couple of pieces of form this season that would give him a squeak, but plenty to prove on his last two efforts. Trip also plenty short enough.

Form: 63544P

Forecasts

Rollerball Rocco (11/4), Glorious Boru (10/3), Battleofthesomme (4/1), Dalkadam (5/1), Nesterenko (9/1), Silent Steps (11/1), Pinch Of Ginger (12/1)

Moderate fayre and an eye on any market moves looks wise. Without that knowledge, however, the suggestion is DALKADAM, who posted a respectable return effort, sees out this trip and could finally break his chasing duck. All seven runners have something to prove, but Pinch Of Ginger, Nesterenko and Silent Steps are the next three in terms of appeal.