14:05 Stratford

Sunday 19 May 2024

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:0516:35

William Hill Epic Value Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 4m 9.46s

Phoenix Risen^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 100

9/2

Scored twice over hurdles last spring and stepped up on his comeback run when fifth of 16 at Taunton last month. Not bred for chasing but can make his presence felt if taking to it at the first attempt.

Form: 1/23F05-

Dusky Days¹⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 97| C

13/2

Winless since debut in a bumper. Good third at Hereford (16f, good) on debut over fences in November but ran poorly at Fontwell on Boxing Day. Might have been amiss that day given his absence since so could well bounce back.

Form: 4R2/63P-

Barest Of Margins²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 97

4/1

Made an encouraging start to his chasing career in 2022, finishing runner-up on all 3 completed outings, and ran to a similar level back from 19 months off for new yard when third of 11 in handicap chase at Taunton (16f, soft, 15/2). Might have found next run coming too soon so worth another chance.

Form: 2F22/3P-

Smurfette¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Skelton| OR: 97

10/1

Placed in mares' bumper/novice hurdle but disappointed switched to handicaps last 2 starts. Now goes chasing.

Form: 53/420-5

Dunstall Rambler^h³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 97

7/2

Just modest form at best over hurdles but would have gone close to making a winning chase bow at Huntingdon (16.5f) but for falling at the last. Backed that up when second at Exeter last month and he's a player.

Form: 2/07PF2-

Boom Boom^p1,t⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Hammond| T: B R Summers| OR: 94

50/1

Got off the mark in 2m maiden hurdle at Wincanton last April but he has shown little since, including on debut for this yard last time.

Form: F1/P3PP-

Theonlywayiswessex⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 92

3/1

Dual AW Flat winner for this yard who went close at Wolverhampton 6 weeks ago. Lightly raced over hurdles and posted a good second at Bangor in September. Didn't look a natural tried over fences at Plumpton following month, however.

Form: 525/725-

Barley Breeze²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Ross Chapman| T: W Coltherd| OR: 75

28/1

Some form in bumpers but has shown very little over obstacles, including for this yard last time.

Form: PP4P/PP-

Invincible Wish^p¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 68

40/1

Veteran who went close at Stratford in June 2022 but he hasn't made much of an impact in 3 starts since returning from 18 months off in January. 6 lb out of the weights.

Form: 62P/06-6

Theoule^h⁷³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 64

80/1

Showed ability on the first of his 2 outings on the Flat for Martyn Meade but has offered nothing over jumps. 10 lb out of handicap.

Form: 7PP6/

Forecasts

Theonlywayiswessex (3/1), Dunstall Rambler (7/2), Barest Of Margins (4/1), Phoenix Risen (9/2), Dusky Days (13/2), Smurfette (10/1), Barley Breeze (28/1), Invincible Wish (40/1), Boom Boom (50/1), Theoule (80/1)

BAREST OF MARGINS might have found his last run coming too soon so is worth another chance to build on the positive start for this yard. Dunstall Rambler has made a decent start over fences and is another to consider, while Dusky Days is worth another chance to confirm chase debut promise back from 5 months off.