Weatherbys Hamilton Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 5m 59.5s

Prime Pretender⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 101

2/1

Second outing back from an absence when a promising second on 2m Ffos Las chase debut 9 days ago. Step back up in trip now in his favour. Leading claims with improvement on the cards.

Form: 5263-52

Conceroe³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR: 99| C

15/8

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner. Hasn't progressed since although he faded as if possibly needing the run when third on his 3m course chase debut/reeappearance a month ago. May do better.

Form: 15465-3

Voice Of Hope⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: M Young| OR: 94

66/1

Maiden hurdle winner in Ireland in summer 2021 but has been well held since joining this yard, including on AW Flat last month. Plenty to prove now chasing.

Form: 4346-97

Twistedfirestarter²⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 76

5/1

No impact over hurdles last season, including in a handicap, and remains to be seen if the switch to fences makes any difference.

Form: 37/079F-

Prince Cleni²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 84

10/3

Poor form in 4 outings over hurdles this season but yard's exploits with chasers mean it wouldn't be a surprise to see him fare better now switching to fences.

Form: 5-6450

Non-Runners

Maria Magdalena¹⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: A M Hales J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Conceroe (15/8), Prime Pretender (2/1), Maria Magdalena (9/4), Prince Cleni (10/3), Twistedfirestarter (5/1), Voice Of Hope (66/1)

PRIME PRETENDER made an encouraging start to his chase career when second over 2m at Ffos Las recently and this looks a good opportunity for him to go one better with the step back up in trip in his favour. Maria Magdalena was below her hurdle form when when a well-held third on her first run over fences but she did show an apititude for chasing and could be the one to give the selection most to think about.