Central Roofing Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 5m 12.50s

Mackelduff²¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 121

9/4

Won first 2 starts over hurdles last term and ended campaign with creditable second of 9 in handicap at Market Rasen (20.6f, good to soft) in March. Warrants respect on chase bow.

Form: 113352-

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Translink^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 116

22/1

Pulled up on chase debut/reappearance but resumed his progress back hurdling when scoring at Worcester in August. Well below that level at Southwell since, though, and questions to answer now.

Form: 112-P18

Highstakesplayer²²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 114| BF

3/1

Progressed well over timber last season, ending with career-best effort when second of 7 in handicap at Doncaster (24.4f, good, 6/4) in March. Must enter calculations on switch to chasing.

Form: 843112-

Midnight Jewel¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 112| BF

9/4

Boasts an impressive strike rate and looked poised to improve that further when coming down at the last in Stratford handicap chase (20.9f, good to soft) 16 days ago. Remains on a workable mark.

Form: 2-1211F

Samtara¹⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 112

11/1

Fair maiden hurdler but below that level when third of 5 on chase debut at Worcester (20f, soft) in June. Likely capable of better but percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 28262-3

Not Sure¹⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 105| BF

6/1

Still looking for first success but has made the frame on several occasions over hurdles and is worth a second look in the market on switch to larger obstacles.

Form: 4/83P2-4

Forecasts

Midnight Jewel (9/4), Mackelduff (9/4), Highstakesplayer (3/1), Not Sure (6/1), Samtara (11/1), Translink (22/1)

MIDNIGHT JEWEL would likely have added to his tally over fences had he not fallen late on at Stratford last time and is taken to make amends here. Mackelduff could provide the biggest threat.