13:45 Ascot

Friday 17 December 2021

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Howden Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 14.85s

Fast Buck³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

33/1

Useful form when runner-up in Doncaster novice handicap chase for Paul Nicholls on completed start over fences. Broke blood vessel on return at Uttoxeter though, and last of 3 at Wetherby since.

Form: 8/F2F-P3

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Thyme White²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134

13/2

Won 2m handicap for 4-y-os at Chepstow on return last season and contested some of the best 2m handicaps after, albeit failing to land a blow. Creditable second on chase bow at Wincanton on comeback.

Form: 1U907-2

Red Rookie⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 133| D

2/1

Useful form when winning a brace of bumpers and won a novice at Sandown from 3 runs over hurdles last season. Big improvement when close second at Chepstow on chase bow/return and can do better again.

Form: 11/514-2

The Cathal Don⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Jones| T: J W Mullins| OR: 132| D

50/1

Fair hurdler but is already a better chaser, leaving debut form well behind when clear-cut winner maiden at Tipperary. Respectable debut for this yard at Huntingdon but opening mark demands more.

Form: 31-6313

Amarillo Sky^t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 131| D

15/2

Improved when making all at Newton Abbot and not disgraced in Welsh Champion Hurdle on return. Shaped encouragingly on chase debut at Chepstow and duly built on that when scoring at Wincanton.

Form: 10-1641

One True King^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 131

11/1

Fairly useful hurdler who left chasing debut behind when runner-up in handicap at Ffos Las in November and responded well to this headgear going one better at Sandown 2 weeks ago. More to come.

Form: 036-521

Brave Seasca⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 121

7/2

Improved markedly to open account over hurdles at Huntingdon. Never threatened handicap/chase bow on return but improved another chunk to win similar event at Warwick. Obvious claims under a penalty.

Form: 94/41-61

Karl Philippe⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 125| D

9/2

Unbeaten in bumpers and opened hurdles account in good style at Exeter in February. Last 2 runs of campaign were a bit disappointing but promising second on chase bow at Carlisle on return.

Form: 221P3-2

Forecasts

Red Rookie (2/1), Brave Seasca (7/2), Karl Philippe (9/2), Thyme White (13/2), Amarillo Sky (15/2), One True King (11/1), Fast Buck (33/1), The Cathal Don (50/1)

BRAVE SEASCA was much improved when winning a novice handicap at Warwick with plenty in hand on just his second start over fences last week and holds obvious claims under a penalty. Karl Philippe and Red Rookie both shaped well when runner-up on their chase bow/return and they head the dangers.