14:35 Ludlow

Thursday 9 November 2023

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:20

NFU Mutual Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 16.46s

Phoenix Aquilus⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: S Durack| OR: 100| D

7/1

Fairly useful staying handicapper on Flat at best but just a modest maiden over hurdles. Makes chase debut.

Form: 62/30P-0

Hunter Legend¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 97

6/5

Half-brother to the yard's very smart chaser Cepage. Much better effort second start in a handicap when runner-up at Ffos Las final start. Drop back in trip not ideal but improvement still possible now switched to fences.

Form: 35/445-2

Crews Pitch^t⁴⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 96| D

12/1

In the frame on both starts in bumpers for J. M. Ridley and went close in a weak maiden on his hurdles/stable debut at Uttoxeter. Back to that level when third on handicap debut at Worcester. Off 15 months. Makes chase debut. First run for yard after leaving Ryan Potter.

Form: P52653-

Go Fox^h⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Ms Laura Ward⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 89| D

18/1

Took advantage of a much-reduced mark when successful at Fakenham in June and followed up at Stratford (17f) 16 days later. Just the one decent effort since but mark is at least easing again.

Form: 11F377

Ten Past Midnight^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 83| D

9/2

Poor handicap hurdler. Reached the frame again when fourth of 12 at Plumpton (20.5f). Shaped like a non-stayer stepped back up in trip at Ffos Las (23.9f, good to soft, 9/1) 25 days ago. Back over fences (showed nothing on chase bow 14 months ago).

Form: 7-52346

Famoso¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 81

5/1

Finally opened his account (at the 17th time of asking under Rules) in 17f handicap chase at Stratford in August. Good second at same track last month and better than bare result at Exeter since. Shortlist material.

Form: 2P1525

Lonimoss Bareliere^t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: B R Summers| OR: 69

14/1

Runner-up in back-to-back 2m handicap chases at Uttoxeter in June/July. However, still seeking first taste of success and below par last 2 starts. 5 lb out of handicap.

Form: 5-62247

King Of The Hill¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: C J Todd| T: S Allwood| OR: 67

40/1

Maiden Irish pointer achieved nothing in 3 novice hurdles last season and left behind gradually at Kelso on chase bow/return. 7 lb out of handicap.

Form: 54/P96-7

Forecasts

Hunter Legend (6/5), Ten Past Midnight (9/2), Famoso (5/1), Phoenix Aquilus (7/1), Crews Pitch (12/1), Lonimoss Bareliere (14/1), Go Fox (18/1), King Of The Hill (40/1)

HUNTER LEGEND is bred to make a chaser being a half-brother to the yard's very smart Cepage, so he can make a winning debut in this sphere despite the drop in trip probably not being ideal. Famoso shaped as if still in form at Exeter and is next best ahead of Go Fox.