Easby Abbey Novices' Handicap Chase

5YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 3f 51y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102

Runner-up sole start in Irish points and has displayed ability over hurdles, albeit he ran no sort of race on handicap debut last month. Chasing may see him in a better light. Hood removed.

Form: 26-6556

Moonlight Glory¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 96

Twice a winner over hurdles in Ireland and gained a deserved first success for this yard at Newcastle 11 days ago, forging clear. 1 lb lower back over fences so she has a big shout.

Form: 904721

Living's Boy An Co¹²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 91| D

Off the mark in emphatic fashion at Market Rasen (19f) in October. However, in process of running poorly when unseating 2 out at Musselburgh (20.3f) a month later. Needs to bounce back minus usual cheekpieces.

Form: 55321U

Ribeye¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P Atkinson| OR: 90

Career best when winning 7-runner handicap chase at Market Rasen last month, always holding on. Another sound effort when placed from 4 lb higher over hurdles at Carlisle and another good run surely on the menu.

Form: 705413

Coup De Gold³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 88| CD

On a lengthy losing run and this Flat-bred gelding has had a lot of racing ahead of this switch to fences.

Form: 337645

Coolmoyne^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J Kington| T: S Waugh| OR: 86

Reacted well to a tongue strap when placed on last 3 starts at up to 21.1f. Likely to give it another good shot.

Form: 5P4233

Zara's Universe³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Ross Chapman| T: A Crook| OR: 73

Long-standing maiden hurdler who didn't show a great deal despite finishing third on chase debut here over 2m a month ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 55-U483

Gemini Fire³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: H Hogarth| OR: 72

Placed on the first of 2 starts in points but hasn't shown much over hurdles and fared no better switched to the larger obstacles at Sedgefield.

Form: 78P06-P

Brickadank^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss Becky Smith| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 69

Yet to win a race and out of the weights for this chase debut.

Form: 254857

Forecasts

Moonlight Glory (2/1), Ribeye (5/1), Upagainstit (11/2), Living's Boy An Co (6/1), Coolmoyne (7/1), Coup De Gold (8/1), Zara's Universe (16/1), Brickadank (16/1), Gemini Fire (25/1)

RIBEYE arrives in excellent heart over both sets of obstacles and with this drop in trip not expected to be a problem, he looks the way to go. Moonlight Glory is a massive threat if taking up this engagement (declared at Newcastle on Tuesday) while Upagainstit likely has a bigger performance in his locker.