13:20 Leicester

Wednesday 12 January 2022

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:50

Pertemps Network January Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:22 | Winning time: 5m 52.35s

Skinflint²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 96

4/1

Returned from a long absence to finish second in a big-field Uttoxeter handicap hurdle last month. Runner-up all 3 previous chase starts. Big player.

Form: 24227/2

Dawn Raider^p,t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 95

14/1

Hardly a winning machine, his sole success from 43 starts gained over hurdles in Ireland in 2017. In better form than latest pulled up at Uttoxeter suggests (went off too hard) but others preferred.

Form: 63544P

Out The Glen^t⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 93

6/1

Off 7 months and had wind op before encouraging fourth for new yard in 25f handicap hurdle at Huntingdon in October. Well beaten sole chase start for previous stable but better can be expected now.

Form: 225P5-4

Spotty Dog²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: M Hawker| OR: 91

40/1

mproved from out of the blue when runner-up over hurdles at Chepstow (19.5f, good) last March but he's underperformed since, including over fences last twice.

Form: 825-UP9

On The Rise⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Best| T: M Young| OR: 87

25/1

Maiden pointer who hinted at ability in a novice/maiden hurdles early in 2021 but offered little on his course handicap debut/reappearance in November. Remains to be seen if switch to fences helps.

Form: 54764-9

Capricia^v1¹²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 84

4/1

Maiden who has looked laboured on a few occasions so she'll need a first-time visor (replacing cheekpieces) to sharpen her up.

Form: 6P-8456

Jessie Lightfoot²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Archie Bellamy⁽⁷⁾| T: J Groucott| OR: 82

8/1

Runner-up in a Uttoxeter handicap hurdle in 2020 but has offered little in 2 comeback runs in recent months. Now tries her luck over fences.

Form: 97/62-90

Eairsidh⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: G Sheehan| T: A Stronge| OR: 74

10/3

Has a stamina-laden pedigree and left impression he needs a much stiffer test on handicap debut at Taunton (19f) in November. Gets longer trip now chasing and one of more interesting runners.

Form: 05-878

Leskinfere^p⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Benjamin Poste| T: J R Cornwall| OR: 71

8/1

Remains a maiden after 25 runs, but he has performed with credit on his last 2 starts. Gets to race from his proper mark this time. Each-way claims.

Form: 56-P435

Larcadio^b,t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Henderson| OR: 69

28/1

Winless after 17 runs, and he took little interest from an early stage when pulled up at Lingfield 23 days ago.

Form: PP457P

Message To Martha^p,t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 59

125/1

Has offered little over hurdles and fared no better switched to fences at Fakenham on New Year's Day. Tongue tie and cheekpieces are now combined for first time.

Form: 2/04-PPP

Non-Runners

Unblinking⁴³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 9

T: R Bevis J: Jordan Nailor

Wells Gold⁹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 11

T: Sara Ender J: Harry Bannister

Forecasts

Eairsidh (10/3), Skinflint (4/1), Capricia (4/1), Out The Glen (6/1), Jessie Lightfoot (8/1), Leskinfere (8/1), Unblinking (12/1), Dawn Raider (14/1), On The Rise (25/1), Wells Gold (25/1), Larcadio (28/1), Spotty Dog (40/1), Message To Martha (125/1)

The 'bounce factor' is always a slight concern on a second run after a lay-off but SKINFLINT's hurdle second last month looks a solid piece of form and he's at least as good over fences so looks sure to go well if showing up in similar form. Out The Glen is feared most after a decent first run for the Olly Murphy yard in a handicap hurdle. Unexposed chase newcomer Eairsidh is also shortlisted.