Racing Partnership Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 10.9s

Swapped^p1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 101| BF

4/1

Fairly useful winner in bumpers who displayed signs of promise in trio of novice hurdles last year. Failed to make any immediate progress following wind op/switch to handicaps at Huntingdon (19.6f) 3 weeks ago but not one to write off now attentions switch to chasing with cheekpieces enlisted.

Form: 20/266-6

Chief Black Robe⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 88

4/6

Runner-up in last 3 starts in points (latest last month) and much improved when opening his account over fences for new yard at Market Rasen (23.8f) 9 days ago. Manner of that success suggests he can do better again.

Form: U6222-1

Seymour Promise^p,t⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 94

10/1

Off the track 15 months but given a chance by the assessor and highlighted versatility in finishing runner-up in trio of handicap hurdles from 2m-3¼m earlier this year. Well below best at Exeter (23f) in March though and needs to get back on track on this second try over fences.

Form: P0/2227-

Imprevu Du Large^t1¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 73

7/1

More like it when third on handicap hurdle debut at Ludlow (23.8f) 17 days ago. In excellent hands and interesting if strong in betting now sent chasing from such a lowly mark. Tongue tie on 1st time.

Form: 0896-3

Mountain Grey¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: J W Mullins| OR: 72

25/1

Only minor promise, but he did travel comfortably before fading when seventh of 10 on 17.5f Exeter chase/handicap debut last month. However, not in anything like the same form over the extended 25f trip here subsequently.

Form: 7/5P77-P

Broadoak^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs F M Shaw| OR: 72

25/1

Lightly-raced 8-y-o who was arguably undone by a late mistake when runner-up at Wincanton (20f) in March. Unable to replicate that either outing since, running poorly from just out of the weights at Stratford (19.5f) in April.

Form: 0P324P-

Justshortofabubble^p,t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 70

16/1

Long-standing maiden over hurdles who failed to justify market confidence when seventh on handicap chase debut at Ffos Las (23.8f) 9 days ago. Needs to step up on that if he's to figure.

Form: 58399-7

Forecasts

Chief Black Robe (4/6), Swapped (4/1), Imprevu Du Large (7/1), Seymour Promise (10/1), Justshortofabubble (16/1), Mountain Grey (25/1), Broadoak (25/1)

CHIEF BLACK ROBE showed much-improved form when making a winning yard/chase debut at Market Rasen 9 days ago, cruising clear up the home straight. Wisely turned out under a penalty, a repeat should see him tough to beat. Chase debutants Imprevu du Large and Swapped both represent powerful stables and may emerge as the lead threats.