Harrison Clark Rickerbys Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 6m 46.92s

Southern Sam⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 122| BF

7/4

Hurdles winner who, back from a lengthy absence, confirmed he retains his ability when third in a novices' handicap chase at Ffos Las (20.9f) in December. Worth a look back up in trip.

Form: 32513/3

Faustinovick^p1,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 120

4/1

Long-standing maiden over jumps who ran creditably in a couple of 3m handicap chase contests at Exeter initially this term. Undone by a bad mistake at Wincanton since but others appeal more on balance

Form: 222-533

Tommie Beau⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 120| BF| D

10/1

Continued on the upgrade as he completed a 4-timer sent chasing at Fakenham (3m) in October. Good runners-up efforts next 2 starts and given a break since below par Catterick display on New Year's Day

Form: 111223

Fuji Flight³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120| BF

2/1

Not scored for some time but mark is easing and not disgraced having not been ideally placed when fourth at Exeter (3m) last month. Yard continue to go well and worth a second look.

Form: 2/3P-354

Clemencia^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 118

7/1

Fairly useful hurdler who arrives having run his best race yet over fences when third at Warwick (20f) last month. However, sole success to date came at 2m and he's up markedly in trip here.

Form: 7-F7U33

Non-Runners

Tide Times¹⁸

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: Ian Williams J: C J Todd

Endless Flight¹²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 8

T: Mrs S Gardner J: Lucy Gardner

Forecasts

Southern Sam (7/4), Fuji Flight (2/1), Tide Times (7/2), Faustinovick (4/1), Clemencia (7/1), Tommie Beau (10/1), Endless Flight (20/1)

This looks wide open despite the small field and it may pay to side with SOUTHERN SAM. He shaped as if retaining his ability on the back of a lengthy absence when third over shorter at Ffos Las in December and, with the step back up in trip a likely plus, he gets the nod to build on that. Tide Times and Fuji Flight are others worth considering.