US Airforce Bloody Hundredth Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 6m 12.15s

Chatty Chich²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 100

8/13

Well held in 3 qualifying runs in mid-winter but had displayed ability in a bumper and much more like it in handicaps, runner-up over C&D before going one place better at Huntingdon (25f, good) 24 days ago. Big player in follow-up bid from 6 lb higher mark.

Form: 86792-1

Mountain Bay²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 88

15/2

Well held in bumpers/novice maidens but shaped better than previously on third start in handicaps when staying on gradually for third over 20f here 26 days ago. Return to this longer trip could see him in an even better light if building on that here.

Form: 506P4-3

Joker Du Chenet⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C P O'Shea⁽⁷⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 84

10/1

Respectable efforts at best without success for Stuart Crawford but has run poorly both starts to date for new yard, including after wind surgery when seventh of 10 in handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (20.7f, soft) 62 days ago. Good bit to prove now.

Form: 5577P7-

Ebendi³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Callum Bewley| T: A Wilson| OR: 83

11/1

Fairly useful Flat performer for Joseph O'Brien. Not at that level over hurdles but ran one of better races when a smooth-travelling fourth at Ayr (24.3f) in March. Heavy ground a plausible excuse at Uttoxeter since and conditions much more in his favour here.

Form: 903843-

Little Talks^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 82

13/2

Dispelled a serious of lesser efforts in spite of the drop in trip when runner-up in mares' maiden company here (20f) on penultimate start. Not seen to best effect when midfield at Stratford (26.4f) over longest trip she's faced latest and she's not dismissed out of hand from this mark.

Form: 34PP-26

Silver Atom²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽³⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 77

14/1

Tasted success on the Flat at Bath (11.6f) and largely run with credit over hurdles in recent months. Finished midfield on first crack at this sort of trip at Ludlow (23.8f) 3 weeks back but others look more interesting for win purposes.

Form: 34544-5

Non-Runners

Lady Salvador²⁵

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: J & S Best J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Chatty Chich (8/13), Little Talks (13/2), Mountain Bay (15/2), Joker Du Chenet (10/1), Lady Salvador (10/1), Ebendi (11/1), Silver Atom (14/1)

CHATTY CHICH confirmed the promise of her C&D handicap debut second when running out a good winner at Huntingdon 25 days ago and, still unexposed as a stayer, she looks to hold excellent claims of following up for her leading yard. Little Talks isn't one to dismiss out of hand, and along with Ebendi, heads up the dangers.