Virgin Bet Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 5m 38.1s

Northern Beau^t,v1⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 121| D

9/4

Fairly useful chaser/hurdler who was a respectable third of 6 over the smaller obstacles at Newcastle 9 days ago. First-time visor replaces blinkers back over fences.

Form: 528433

Danse Idol¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 121

7/5

Disappointed over fences/hurdles for Paul Nicholls late last year but took an immediate step back in the right direction for this yard when second in Ludlow novice chase 12 days ago.

Form: 733-3P2

Black Tulip^p⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly| OR: 117

3/1

Fairly useful hurdles winner who belatedly shed maiden tag over fences at Uttoxeter (22.5f) in October. Backed that up when second in Cheltenham handicap 6 weeks later.

Form: 3P2-312

Nightfly^p,t³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 113| C

7/1

Useful chaser in her prime. Seemingly not the force of old but has a reduced mark to work with and seemed to run a bit better after wind surgery when third in a jumpers bumper 5 weeks ago.

Form: 6-5F363

Forecasts

Danse Idol (7/5), Northern Beau (9/4), Black Tulip (3/1), Nightfly (7/1)

A case can be made for all four runners here but DANSE IDOL made a positive start for the in-form Dan Skelton yard when second in a novice chase at Ludlow last month and is taken to build on that and go one better now, perhaps at the main expense of Black Tulip.