Mick Bird (Grandad Birdy) Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 4m 45.4s

Cremant^p,t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: K Brogan| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 102| CD

5/4

Won an Aintree handicap hurdle in June. Best run over fences when third in C&D handicap since. Should be thereabouts if in similar form.

Form: 227-313

Felino De Bersy^t³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts| OR: 100

22/1

Runner-up twice in points in May and also second back hurdling for new yard in weak 2m Southwell novice last month. Well held in handicap hurdle off this mark since so he'll need to improve for a switch to fences.

Form: P4-2228

Cardboard Gangster¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 92

5/2

Left his previous efforts in handicaps behind when winning 3m Perth chase 17 days ago. 8 lb rise means a bit more will be required if he's to follow up.

Form: 365P-41

Serjeant Painter²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 90| CD

5/2

Barely modest over hurdles but has landed a pair of 2m Southwell handicaps since switching to fences. Likely he has more to offer and a further 5 lb rise doesn't look enough to prevent him completing a hat-trick.

Form: 174-311

Silvretta Schwarz^p1¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: M Young| OR: 69

25/1

Poor maiden hurdler/chaser nowadays and well held both starts this term. First-time cheekpieces will need to make a difference.

Form: 6335-58

Non-Runners

Pittsburg²⁸

Weight: 10-8| Age: 6

T: R Potter J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cremant (5/4), Serjeant Painter (5/2), Cardboard Gangster (5/2), Felino De Bersy (22/1), Pittsburg (25/1), Silvretta Schwarz (25/1)

SERJEANT PAINTER has been a bit of a revelation since switched to fences and can extend his unbeaten record in this sphere to 3. Cremant is preferred to recent Perth scorer Cardboard Gangster for the forecast spot.