Weatherbys Stallion Book Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 6m 27.4s

Bobalot^p,t¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 99| BF| DWS

3/1

Made a successful handicap debut over hurdles at Chepstow on his reappearance last season, but he largely struggled thereafter and needs to get back on track now switched to fences. Has undergone a wind op.

Form: 15P44-5

Brandisova²¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 96| BF| D

11/8

Off the mark over hurdles at Fakenham in February and bettered that when following up in this sphere at the same course (3m, soft) next time. Gave it a good shot from the front when bidding for the hat-trick in a handicap chase at Huntingdon when last seen in April and she's the one to beat.

Form: 422112-

Williamdeconqueror^p²⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin| OR: 82

15/2

Yet to win a race of any description, but he doesn't have many miles on the clock and showed more with cheekpieces enlisted on final 2 starts of last season, latterly beaten less than a length when fifth of 15 at Warwick (3m, good). Will be a threat if ready to roll following a 6-month break.

Form: F0/6525-

Wide To West^p1¹⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 72

5/1

Placed on completed start in points, but there were few positives to glean from his handful of runs over hurdles last season. Perhaps switching to fences will help show him in a better light, but it's easy enough to look elsewhere all the same.

Form: 3P/P04-7

Dysania^p²⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 69

11/2

Made the frame on a few occasions in handicap chases at up to 3¼m last winter, but form then dipped badly and he's opposable back from a break from 4 lb out of the weights here.

Form: 334PP0-

Non-Runners

Captain Claude²

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: A J Honeyball J: Ben Godfrey

Forecasts

Brandisova (11/8), Bobalot (3/1), Captain Claude (10/3), Wide To West (5/1), Dysania (11/2), Williamdeconqueror (15/2)

The vote goes to the mare BRANDISOVA, who didn't do much wrong when finding one too good in her hat-trick attempt at Huntingdon in April and she resumes on the same mark. Williamdeconqueror appeared to be getting the hang of things towards the end of last season and will be a threat if picking up where he left off, while it will be interesting to see if Captain Claude is allowed to make his chase debut here on the back of a fairly encouraging reappearance effort over hurdles on Sunday.