15:15 Perth

Friday 26 April 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Muirhall Energy Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 6m 18.76s

Universal Folly⁸³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 124| D

40/1

Completed a hat-trick over fences at Hexham in October and continued in good heart when runner-up at Aintree (25f) and Carlisle (20f). Beaten long before the extra distance might have been an issue at Musselburgh (31.4f, good to soft) 3 months ago and has since moved yards. Market check needed.

Form: 11122P

Charles Ritz^p1⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: T R George| OR: 121

11/2

Low-mileage 8-y-o who tasted success over hurdles and improved when opening his chase account following at Exeter (19.2f, heavy) on New Year's Day. However, he's failed to build on that on both subsequent starts and now first-time headgear goes on.

Form: 642-163

Bella Bliss^t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Brian Hayes| T: J C McConnell| OR: 118| D

12/1

Has scored 3 times over fences this season and got back on track after a few disappointing efforts when 4¼ lengths third of 5 to Favori de Champdou in Grade 3 at Limerick (24.6f, heavy) last week. That was a substandard graded event run at a steady gallop, however.

Form: 230053

Artic Row^t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 116

6/1

Justified market confidence in an Ayr handicap in good style in December. Made it 3-3 over obstacles at that track when getting the better of an argument with Monochromix last time and while this 9 lb higher mark demands more, he remains open to improvement as a chaser.

Form: 3P1F11

Gold Emery^p1³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 112| D

11/1

Point/hurdles winner who got better with each run over fences last season and put a poor effort behind him when finishing runner-up at Haydock (28.4f, heavy) last month (front pair clear). Has had several near misses over fences and first-time headgear could eke out that bit extra.

Form: 22-52P2

Jacks Parrot^p,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 112| D

7/4

Bumper winner who seemed to show much improved form upped to 3m to record a first success over obstacles in 3-runner handicap at Uttoxeter (24f, heavy) just under 3 weeks ago, jumping much better than on British debut. 8 lb higher but he's a young chaser going places.

Form: 762441

Petrastar^h,t¹⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 108| CD

33/1

Off the mark over fences over C&D in June and wasn't helped by a loose horse when third over same C&D in September. Struggled at Ludlow when last seen 6 months ago and returns down at his last winning mark. Others look stronger, though.

Form: 6-U1734

So They Say^t⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 105| BF| D

5/1

Lightly-raced hurdler who confirmed the promise of her chase debut when winning 7-runner handicap at Musselburgh in January. Similar form when third on both starts since and should make another bold bid from the front.

Form: F24133

Busty Boy³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D Bourke| OR: 103| D

10/1

Successful on 3 of his 4 starts in Irish points so no surprise he left hurdles form behind when making a winning chase debut at Kelso on return. Took a step back in the right direction after 3 months off when second of 4 at Newcastle (20.1f, heavy) recently but this is tougher.

Form: 25-1242

Heritier De Sivola^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 102| D

33/1

Winning hurdler who has really got his act together in this sphere with the aid of cheekpieces, completing a quick hat-trick when edging out Camp Belan at Hexham (3m, heavy) last month. Had winning run ended with a whimper at Carlisle last time, so needs to bounce back quickly.

Form: 521110

Forecasts

Jacks Parrot (7/4), So They Say (5/1), Charles Ritz (11/2), Artic Row (6/1), Busty Boy (10/1), Gold Emery (11/1), Bella Bliss (12/1), Petrastar (33/1), Heritier De Sivola (33/1), Universal Folly (40/1)

It's difficult to ascertain what exactly JACKS PARROT achieved when thumping his two rivals at Uttoxeter earlier in the month, but he jumped much better than he had on British debut, so he's chanced to come out on top in a much more competitive contest. Second choice is Artic Row, who made it three wins in as many completed starts over fences in a manner that suggests he's yet to show all he can at Ayr 7 weeks ago, with So They Say and Gold Emery taken to fight out third.