DragonBet Born From The Betting Ring Novices' Handicap Chase

5YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 5f 110y | 8 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 98

Fair hurdles winner but struggled for form on the Flat last year. Fared better when runner-up on his stable/chase debut at Worcester (20f) in September, but has gone backwards from that effort in 2 starts since. Others more persuasive back up in trip.

Form: 491-25P

Kap Chidley^t1⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 97WS

Made a promising return when runner-up at Uttoxeter (3m) in October and again ran well when fifth of 13 at Musselburgh the following month. Disappointing back at Uttoxeter last time, but he could fare better having had a wind op and with tongue strap added. Major player.

Form: 324-257

Rouge De L'quest^t1³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: J J Burke| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 97

Winning pointer but below expectations in 3 chase starts this season, again not seeing his race out when fourth of 13 at Chepstow (23.6f) last time. However, it still remains early days for him in this sphere, as he drops back in trip with tongue strap applied.

Form: 342-634

Inchagoill Lady^t⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Bryan Carver| T: K Pickard| OR: 93WS

Placed both outings in Irish points and runner-up on second start over hurdles at Hereford (21.7f) in January last year. However, has offered little since, including on her stable/seasonal debut in November. Has had a wind op ahead of her chase bow.

Form: 3/028P-P

Layerthorpe³³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 86

Landed a hat-trick in staying handicap hurdles back in 2019 and ran to a similar level on his second start over fences when runner-up at Taunton (23f) in December 2022. However, not in the same form at Hereford 4 months later and has been off again since.

Form: 235/P26-

Ideallko⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 80| C

Has improved for the switch to chasing, getting off the mark at this course (2m) in October and following up at Plumpton (19.8f). Seemed unsuited by testing conditions back here in November, before likely to have gone close but for falling at the last at Sedgefield last time. Respected.

Form: 74115F

Higgs^b1¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies| OR: 79

Remains a maiden over fences but ran better than for a while when third at Leicester (20.1f) in January. Not in the same form both subsequent outings, though he lurks on a dangerous mark if the application of blinkers has the desired effect.

Form: U-P63U6

Gala Des Lys^h²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: K Brogan| T: A Wintle| OR: 71

Offered little over hurdles and has fared no better over fences, always behind at this course (2m) on his first run since leaving Deborah Faulkner 29 days ago. Looks to be up against it.

Form: P/0P6U-8

Forecasts

Ideallko (9/4), Rouge De L'quest (11/4), Higgs (4/1), Kap Chidley (9/2), Layerthorpe (14/1), Iron Heart (14/1), Gala Des Lys (20/1), Inchagoill Lady (25/1)

After an encouraging start to the season KAP CHIDLEY ran below-par on his latest outing, but he is taken to get back on track following a wind op and with a tongue strap applied. He can get the better of Ideallko, who looked to hold every chance when falling late on at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, while Rouge de l'Quest is also considered.