Paddy Power Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 3m 59.44s

On The Slopes³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 136| C

11/10

Useful hurdler who has been very consistent over fences this term finishing in the frame on all five occasions before finally getting his head in front here over 2m2f; up 7lbs for that success and excellent chance of following up.

Form: 423331

Dr Sanderson³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| BF| D

4/1

Three wins over hurdles last term; has taken some time to show similar ability over fences but deserves his place here based on a reasonable effort last time out at Ludlow; can progress further and is respected.

Form: 115-P52

Muratello³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130

10/1

Showed he had ability when runner-up at Haydock on his penultimate start; needs to bounce back from below par effort last time at Leicester but looks nicely handicapped on old hurdles form.

Form: 30-8523

Return Ticket⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 129| D

4/1

Ran into useful sort when third on chasing bow at Wetherby in October and then outclassed in Grade 1 at Sandown (2m, soft; 33-1) next time out; no chance with easy winner last time at Catterick; might find another too good here.

Form: 612-352

Ballinslea Bridge⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 125| BF

10/1

Runner-up last two starts and in good form at present; might have wanted more testing conditions but more of a question mark will be the drop back to the minimum trip, with best form coming over further; chances if coping with it.

Form: 211/723

Flying Tiger⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124| D

14/1

Has been mainly campaigned over hurdles where he is without a success since March 2017; recent return to fences saw little change in fortune and best watched here.

Form: 05U385

Forecasts

On The Slopes (11/10), Return Ticket (4/1), Dr Sanderson (4/1), Muratello (10/1), Ballinslea Bridge (10/1), Flying Tiger (14/1)

ON THE SLOPES finally came good over fences last time out here over slightly further. Dropping back in trip should pose no problems based on previous efforts and despite going up in the weights looks to have a great chance of following up. Dr Sanderson is making slow progress over fences but is going in the right direction and is in capable hands with Paul Nicholls: If able to find a bit more on previous efforts, he could run the selection close. Ballinslea Bridge probably wants a little further but if the race pans out nicely then he has the ability to go well.