14:57 Bangor-on-Dee

Tuesday 29 October 2024

All12:5013:2013:5014:2214:5715:3216:07

Weatherbys Stallion Book Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:58 | Winning time: 5m 21.32s

Lady Balko¹⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Pipe| OR: 115| BF

9/1

On a roll in handicap hurdles last season, completing a hat-trick at up to 3m and running well from a mark 26 lb higher than when starting her winning spree on her final outing. Point scorer and no reason why she can't do just as good over fences now.

Form: 211122-

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Baltray¹⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Joe Anderson⁽³⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 112| D

5/1

Quickly made up into a fairly useful hurdler for his new yard, readily landing the odds in 2m3f novice at Hereford a year ago. Good run in Fontwell handicap only other start and should make his mark over fences.

Form: 3/21-2

Micro Millions²⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 111

66/1

£40,000 buy after winning an Irish point and made the frame 3 times over hurdles at up to 25f for Dan Skelton last term. Big sort who should have a future over fences for new yard.

Form: 1/33P24-

Immortal Fame^p¹⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 109| D

33/1

Didn't really go on from a promising start over fences for Tom Lacey in 2022-23 but won a couple of handicap hurdles at around this trip last term. £16,000 buy for new trainer and probably high enough in the weights on return.

Form: 3/2112P-

Valens Bruyee¹⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 107| D

10/1

Landed his second handicap hurdle over this trip at Ffos Las when last seen. Will need to jump better over fences but has the size for the game and shouldn't be overlooked.

Form: P13551-

Zestful Hope³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 106| D

16/1

Not won for a while but has been given a chance by the handicapper and hinted at a revival back over fences at Fontwell 5 weeks ago. Surely vulnerable to a number of unexposed rivals in this line-up, however.

Form: 5244-04

Icare Grandchamp¹²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 106

11/2

Was getting the hang of chasing when last seen in the summer, showing further improvement back up in trip when opening his account in 13-runner handicap at Newton Abbot (21f) under this pilot. Up just 3 lb and should have more to offer in this sphere.

Form: P/207-21

Billytherealbigred¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 112| BF

9/4

Got a hat-trick up in handicap hurdles in the mud last season (last 2 wins for this yard). Fell final start but should do just as well over fences and 4-y-o allowance a bonus.

Form: U3111F-

Iron D'ex²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 98| D

8/1

Ended 2023/24 in a lull over hurdles but got back on track from a reduced mark to make a winning start over fences in similar event at Ludlow over this trip 3 weeks ago. This is tougher up 3 lb but he's entitled to build on that breakthrough.

Form: 625PP-1

Hawkseye View¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 96| D

7/1

Winning pointer placed twice over hurdles and made a perfectly satisfactory chasing debut at Wetherby recently, shaping as if better for the run after 6 months off having looked third best for a long way. Better to come.

Form: 26405-7

Non-Runners

One More Stroke¹⁹⁹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 5

T: D McCain Jnr J: B S Hughes

I'm Ravenous²⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: B Pauling J: Ben Jones

Forecasts

Billytherealbigred (9/4), Baltray (5/1), Icare Grandchamp (11/2), I'm Ravenous (6/1), Hawkseye View (7/1), Iron D'ex (8/1), One More Stroke (8/1), Lady Balko (9/1), Valens Bruyee (10/1), Zestful Hope (16/1), Immortal Fame (33/1), Micro Millions (66/1)

A whole host of potentially decent chasers, with I'M RAVENOUS taken to make a successful start for Ben Pauling. He's quickly switched to fences after scoring in a Sedgefield maiden hurdle at the start of the month and should have plenty more to offer. Icare Grandchamp, who opened his account in a Newton Abbot handicap chase when last seen, and One More Stroke are a couple of the other likely players.