16:10 Warwick

Friday 24 February 2023

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Rubicon Racing Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 19.30s

Imperial Hope^h¹⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood| OR: 100

11/1

Point/bumper winner who ran to a modest level in a trio of starts over hurdles. Off 9 months (had contested a void race), shaped as if needing the run when sixth of 10 at Lingfield on chase debut in November. Should improve over fences.

Form: 1/275-V6

Rock Of Star²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 99| BF

9/2

Winning hurdler who shaped as if still in good form on first completed start over fences when fourth at Uttoxeter (2m4f) on New Year's Eve. Booked for third when unseated rider last at Wincanton (15.7f) on latest outing. Can make presence felt.

Form: 649-F4U

Stumps Or Slips^t²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Luke Scott⁽⁷⁾| T: T H Weston| OR: 93

9/1

Upped in trip, again not seen to best effect when third in handicap hurdle at Worcester (2m4f) when last seen in July, closing when hampered on landing sixth. Appeals as the type to make a chaser so could do better on his return to action.

Form: 97-2653

Sir Jack West^h,t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 88| D

17/2

Capitalised on a reduced mark when finally opening his account at Leicester (20.5f) in November. However, not in the same form when pulled up back at the same C&D the following month.

Form: 4-9P31P

Eros²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 85

7/1

Ran well when third at Hereford on return and shaped as if back in form when filling the same position at Exeter (19.2f) at the beginning of the month, left behind only on the run-in. Could be ready to take advantage of his reduced mark.

Form: 2F-33P3

Muse Of Fire^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: K Brogan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 82| BF| D

5/1

On his debut for current yard, got back on track after a year off when runner-up at this C&D on New Year's Eve. Filled the same position at Catterick next time and he can give his running once more.

Form: 476P-22

Bells Of Stamford^t1⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 80| BF| DWS

10/3

On his second handicap start, off the mark over hurdles at Ayr in May last year. Matched that level when third at Market Rasen (21.4f) on chase debut in November, but only fourth of 10 at Huntingdon next time. Has had wind op since and tongue tie added.

Form: 85-1334

Bardd⁸¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs D O'Neill| OR: 78

6/1

Bumper/Flat winner but remains a long-standing maiden over jumps. After 8 months off, was in process of running below form when falling 3 out in handicap chase at Lingfield last time. Looks vulnerable once again.

Form: 46P38-F

Whiskey Times⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: K Davis| OR: 70

100/1

Has shown little in 3 starts in maiden hurdles, off 22 months prior to the current season. Can only be watched on chase debut.

Form: 0/9P

Forecasts

Bells Of Stamford (10/3), Rock Of Star (9/2), Muse Of Fire (5/1), Bardd (6/1), Eros (7/1), Sir Jack West (17/2), Stumps Or Slips (9/1), Imperial Hope (11/1), Whiskey Times (100/1)

EROS shaped as if back in form when third at Exeter earlier in the month, left behind by the first 2 only on the run-in, and having dropped another 1 lb, he could be ready to get off the mark. Rock Of Star could yet do better after only 3 starts over fences and is feared most, ahead of Stumps Or Slips on his chase debut.