Download The At The Races App Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 5m 20.14s

Ar Mest^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: David Noonan| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 107

6/1

Has switched yards several times since leaving Gary Moore, for whom he was a four-time winner over hurdles, in 2019. Runner-up in small-field handicap chases all three starts since joining this yard, but record stands at 0-13 in this sphere.

Form: 9222U2-

Steady The Ship^b²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 102| CD

11/4

Failed to build on initial promise over hurdles, but back on track when making a winning chase debut in first-time blinkers (retained) over C&D last month, proving 2¼ lengths too strong for Diamond Rose. Open to improvement in this sphere.

Form: 7/05781-

Champagne Terri⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 101

9/1

Sole hurdles success was registered in a Doncaster maiden in 2020. Good second back from a break on the Flat in March, but well below par next two starts on the level and she's opposable on this chase debut.

Form: 53F/883-

Capricia^h1,v¹¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 84

15/8

Yet to win a race of any description, but seemingly perked up by the first-time visor at Leicester (22.7f, good to soft) where she was going great guns in front when falling three out. Headgear retained (plus hood added) and big chance here if fully tuned-up following almost four months off.

Form: P/8456F-

Diamond Rose^p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: C Gethings| T: J S Smith| OR: 79

10/3

Dual hurdles winner who posted her best effort yet over fences when chasing home Steady The Ship in first-time cheekpieces here last month. 5 lb better off with that rival now, but more is needed.

Form: 475332-

Non-Runners

Storm Rising²⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 9

T: R C Harper J: Danny Burton

Forecasts

Capricia (15/8), Steady The Ship (11/4), Diamond Rose (10/3), Ar Mest (6/1), Champagne Terri (9/1), Storm Rising (25/1)

A combination of the switch to fences, new headgear and more positive tactics enabled STEADY THE SHIP to get his career back on track when seeing off Diamond Rose and five others over C&D last time. This 6 lb higher mark should be manageable, particularly with improvement possibile. Capricia probably would've won had she not exited at the third-last at Leicester and Martin Keighley's charge is next on the list ahead of Ar Mest.