Ardencote Spa Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 5m 42.40s

Cawthorne Lad¹²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 116| C

11/4

Latest win in chase here in October. Shaped encouragingly when third in Warwick handicap hurdle when last seen in March and looks of interest back over the larger obstacles.

Form: 47/1633-

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Templehills^t²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 115| CD

12/1

Error-prone veteran won over C&D last season but has gone with little encouragement since and can't be fancied on recent showings.

Form: 518-FP5

Salley Gardens^p,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 115| D

10/3

Has won 4 of his last 7 starts (placed on other 3) and produced a fine round of jumping when winning 3-runner handicap on chase debut at Southwell last month. 3 lb rise is lenient and he's sure to go well again.

Form: 2112-31

Etat Major Aulmes¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: O Signy| OR: 110| D

5/4

Arrives seeking a hat-trick after recent wins at Fontwell and Worcester. Already an improved performer over fences and is feared from 7 lb higher mark.

Form: 7P2/2-11

Fresh New Dawn^t⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 102

12/1

Won at Market Rasen last term and ran repsectably on reappearance at Perth in May. Below form last time, though, and some of his rivals look more interesting here.

Form: 321P-44

Forecasts

Etat Major Aulmes (5/4), Cawthorne Lad (11/4), Salley Gardens (10/3), Templehills (12/1), Fresh New Dawn (12/1)

SALLEY GARDENS translated his hurdling improvement to fences when a tidy winner on his first chase start and further progress looks likely for Olly Murphy's six-year-old. Etat Major Aulmes is a serious threat in his bid for a hat-trick, with Cawthorne Lad best of the rest.