Aldaniti Partnership Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 7m 12.4s

Iron Heart^b¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 100

18/1

Four-time hurdles winner who was a close second in a Bangor handicap chase (3m, good) in May. However, that is very much a standout effort from his 7 runs in this sphere and he was safely held returned to fences at Ludlow 12 days ago.

Form: 2541P5

River Tyne¹⁶⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 97| D

4/1

Finally opened her account when landing a 12-runner handicap chase at Fontwell (3¼m, good) on latest start in May. She isn't an obvious one to follow up, though, especially not off this 7 lb higher mark.

Form: PP223-1

Hobb's Delight¹³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 94| BF

10/11

Much-improved switched to handicaps last winter, dead-heating at Fontwell on Boxing Day and also successful at Southwell in February. Latest second at the latter course (24.3f, good) in June was another very creditable effort and claims on chase debut, granted a clear round.

Form: 0121-42

Ballyrashane^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 84

6/1

Left his chase debut form behind when successful at Fakenham in March and recently doubled his tally in this sphere at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft). 5 lb rise fair enough and he should be on the premises once more.

Form: 122-561

Prime Pretender^b1¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Osian Radford⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 82

4/1

Four time point winner who was runner-up in handicap chases off higher marks several times in 2022/23 season. Record under Rules stands at 0-19 and below par both starts since returning from a break but he's down to a dangerous mark and perhaps the first-time blinkers will have a positive effect.

Form: 111-P56

Can't Buy Time^p1,t²³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: James Best| T: Cynthia Woods| OR: 79WS

100/1

No show in 5 starts over hurdles and significant step forward needed here following a 7-month absence/wind op on this chase debut.

Form: 606PP-

Forecasts

Hobb's Delight (10/11), River Tyne (4/1), Prime Pretender (4/1), Ballyrashane (6/1), Iron Heart (18/1), Can't Buy Time (100/1)

It's worth chancing PRIME PRETENDER, who has slipped to a potentially handy mark and the addition of blinkers may prove to be a good thing. Chase debutant Hobb's Delight will be a threat if his jumping passes the test, while Ballyrashane was 9½ lengths ahead of the selection when scoring at Uttoxeter but now meets Evan Williams' representative on 8 lb worse terms.