Rhino.Bet Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 4m 23.10s

Copper Fox^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 100

10/3

Won a mediocre Uttoxeter maiden hurdle last June but took a step forward when runner-up to a subsequent winner at Newcastle in December. Matched that form sent chasing after 5 months off when second at Stratford last month and is entitled to do better. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 31332-2

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Royle Steel^p1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 95| D

14/1

Fair 2m winner. Back on track when third at Catterick in February but has beaten only 3 home in his 3 outings since. Cheekpieces applied for this switch to chasing.

Form: 5/5387-5

Honneur De Sivola^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: C Hobson| OR: 91

5/2

Made frame both completed starts in Irish points and having shown promise on his third outing in maiden hurdles, offered more again sent chasing for handicap debut when runner-up at Huntingdon (16.5f, good) 11 days ago. Should have more to offer.

Form: F2446-2

Moore Clouds⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A Wilson| OR: 89

7/2

Took well to fences originally filling the runner-up spot on her first couple out outings. Took a heavy fall at Catterick next time and run best excused at Sedgefield (17f, heavy) 3 months ago (went off too hard). Back on a sounder surface and fancied to be in the mix.

Form: 4622F6-

Rocambolas^h,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Dylan Whelan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 83

11/4

Winning pointer who made a successful start for his new yard in 2m Uttoxeter handicap hurdle in April. Folded tamely at Southwell next time and similar comments when throwing away what seemed certain victory back over fences at Worcester (16.5f, good) 2 weeks ago. Can't be trusted.

Form: 9451-62

King Of Quinta^p,t⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 82

16/1

Minor promise in bumpers and over hurdles but showed some aptitude for chasing after 5 months off before ultimately shaping as if amiss (subsequently found to have an irregular heartbeat). That issue tempers enthusiasm somewhat.

Form: 85364P-

Secrets De Famille⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: N Mechie| OR: 76

40/1

Only poor form over hurdles in Ireland and little to get excited about in 4 runs for this yard, latest on chase debut after wind surgery 9 days ago. Can only be watched.

Form: 0P/P59-9

Forecasts

Honneur De Sivola (5/2), Rocambolas (11/4), Copper Fox (10/3), Moore Clouds (7/2), Royle Steel (14/1), King Of Quinta (16/1), Secrets De Famille (40/1)

COPPER FOX matched his hurdling form at the first attempt in this sphere when runner-up at Stratford last month and, with improvement on the cards, Donald McCain's charge is fancied to go a place better with the headgear back on. Moore Clouds is proving expensive to follow but she can give the selection most to think about back on a sounder surface, with Honneur de Sivola rounding off the shortlist.