Download The NE-Bet App Today Novices' Handicap Chase

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Walton| OR: 85| C

Running with plenty of credit in two of his most recent starts over the larger obstacles at Catterick and more recently at Carlisle finishing third of the 10 runners. Makes more appeal than most in these conditions.

Form: 421323

Aniknam¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 81| C

Winner of two of his last three starts over timber. Late starter to chasing and market likely to be the best guide to chances making debut over fences at his age.

Form: 0P2151

Classical Sound^p1⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 78

84-rated handicapper over hurdles without a win in 13 starts over timber. Possibly best watched as the Mahler gelding makes his chasing debut in this contest in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: P42/5-37

Tommy The Rascal^p⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Candlish| OR: 77

Experienced veteran still looking for his breakthrough success in 20 starts over the larger obstacles. May need others to under-perform if he is to take this.

Form: 592338

Phantom Isle^t1³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 76

Not seen for over 18-months when returning to action in a Sedgefield 2m4f handicap hurdle last month finishing sixth of the 10 runners beaten 18L.

Form: 7465/9-6

Forecasts

Aniknam (11/10), Cudgel (11/4), Tommy The Rascal (7/1), Classical Sound (7/1), Phantom Isle (8/1)

ANIKAM is in a rich vein of form right now and can take advantage of the winning habit to win on debut over the larger obstacles. The 10-year-old is a late starter over fences but the Nickname gelding looks a solid option in this event. The seven-year-old Cudgel for trainer James Walton has posted a couple of decent displays over fences since the turn of the year and can emerge as the biggest danger. The Rose Dobbin-trained Classical Sound looks an interesting recruit over fences and is worth a check in the market prior to his chasing debut.