15:00 Catterick

Wednesday 24 January 2024

All12:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Every Race Live On RacingTV Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 5m 19.3s

Master Breffni⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 96

12/1

Unplaced completed start in points and just a modest maiden hurdler in Ireland. Best watched on chase/yard debut.

Form: 703P-00

Hollington²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr William Easterby⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 93

9/1

Some promise in bumpers but made little impact in a trio of Irish maiden hurdles for Stuart Crawford. Has won twice in points since then, including on most recent outing in April, and not disgraced when fifth on yard debut at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. Makes quick switch to chasing for handicap bow.

Form: P31F1-5

Hokelami^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: C Brace| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 93| D

4/1

Tongue strap on for 1st time, left chase bow well behind when winning 6-runner handicap at Market Rasen 15 days ago, pushed out. More to come over fences and likely to go well again.

Form: 0314-P1

Noche Negra²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 92

6/1

Down the field all 3 starts in maiden hurdles but was placed in points earlier in his career so no surprise he showed more when third at Market Rasen on handicap/chase debut. Back down in trip.

Form: 32/80-73

Henry Gray^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 89

4/1

Just modest form at best in a trio of hurdling outings but this former point winner has shaped with encouragement on both chase outings and he could benefit from this sharper test.

Form: 1/547-53

Empty Nest³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 89

6/4

Promising signs so far over fences, catching the eye with his finishing effort when third here 36 days ago. More to come, so could be the answer.

Form: 9P7043

Non-Runners

Cokytho¹⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: A M Hales J: Non Runner

Attention All¹⁸

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: R Menzies J: Nathan Moscrop

Limerick Leader³⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: R Dobbin J: Craig Nichol

William Ewart³⁶

Weight: 10-13| Age: 7

T: Christian Williams J: G Sheehan

King Of The Hill²⁷

Weight: 10-7| Age: 6

T: S Allwood J: Toby Wynne

Forecasts

Empty Nest (6/4), Henry Gray (4/1), Hokelami (4/1), King Of The Hill (11/2), Noche Negra (6/1), Cokytho (7/1), Hollington (9/1), William Ewart (10/1), Master Breffni (12/1), Attention All (12/1), Limerick Leader (14/1)

EMPTY NEST closed all the way to the line when a close third over C&D 5 weeks ago so has obvious claims off a similar mark. Hokelami responded well to a tongue strap/change of tactics when making all at Market Rasen so is feared most ahead of old rival Cokytho, who seems to be building up to something.