15:35 Ludlow

Thursday 2 March 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Nightjar Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 14.50s

Grizzly James⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 98| BF

9/1

Fairly useful ex-French hurdles winner but yet to score for his current yard and only fifth of 6 in 2m handicap chase at Ludlow 8 days ago. More is required.

Form: 75-3455

Starevitch¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 96| D

8/1

Irish point winner who shaped with some promise on first 2 starts in novice hurdles after a long absence. Well held on firm ground at Newbury last time but no surprise to see him take a big step forward now up in trip for his chasing debut. Interesting.

Form: 13/558

Jack Doyen²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: B I Case| OR: 94

8/1

Placed in points/novice hurdles and also posted a good third of 7 in handicap chase at Market Rasen (23.9f, good to soft) 23 days ago. Considered eased 1 lb here.

Form: 945P83

Born At Midnight³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 89

10/3

Dual chase winner this season who comes here on the back of a good third of 11 in handicap chase at Huntingdon (23.6f, good to soft) 34 days ago. Solid claims.

Form: F-121P3

Kestrel Valley^t⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 81

6/5

Still to get her head in front over fences and is yet to fire this season, only ninth of 13 in handicap chase at Hereford (20.9f, soft) 57 days ago. Has her first run since leaving Matt Sheppard now with plenty to prove.

Form: 342-649

Mix Master¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: K Brogan| T: Katy Price| OR: 78

33/1

Well held in three 2m novice hurdles this year. Significantly up in trip for his chase debut so no forlorn hope.

Form: P3-008

Fitzroy^b1¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: W T Kennedy| T: S-J Davies| OR: 77

50/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser at his best but he seemingly retains little ability nowadays. Others are much preferred.

Form: 0PP-475

Old Page¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Benjamin Poste| T: A Sadik| OR: 73| D

14/1

Successful between the flags last spring but just poor form over fences, third of 6 in handicap chase at Hereford (25.2f, good) 15 days ago. More is required.

Form: 5F7443

Non-Runners

Treasure Dillon⁴⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 9

T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Kestrel Valley (6/5), Born At Midnight (10/3), Jack Doyen (8/1), Starevitch (8/1), Grizzly James (9/1), Old Page (14/1), Treasure Dillon (16/1), Mix Master (33/1), Fitzroy (50/1)

Jamie Snowden's STAREVITCH is a winning Irish pointer and showed some promise kept to 2m over hurdles so is worth siding with to make a successful start in this sphere now sent over a much longer trip. Dual chase scorer Born At Midnight has experience on his side and rates the obvious threat, with Jack Doyen weighted to have a say too.