Happy Birthday Lyndsey Lane From Brunel Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:32 | Winning time: 6m 13.69s

Ballynaheer^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: David Dennis| OR: 95

10/3

A fair 2m4f winner over hurdles who made a bright start over fences with placed efforts at Uttoxeter/Wincanton in October. Shade disappointing when fifth of 8 in handicap chase at Hereford (25.2f) 32 days ago but definite player on previous exploits.

Form: P17-335

Boolamore Classic^p³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: N W Alexander| OR: 84

8/1

Second on completed start in points. Well held completed starts over hurdles however, including after 6 months off when eleventh of 12 in handicap hurdle (10/3) at Hexham (23.3f, good to soft) 36 days ago. Switch to chasing needs to bring about improvement.

Form: 248U-00

Lepashe^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Liam Harrison| T: S Allwood| OR: 82

7/2

Offered more than previously over fences when third of 8 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (3m) in October. Jumping let him down at Southwell 4 weeks ago though, and cheekpieces go back on now.

Form: P4-4536

Blue Plan²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 78

18/1

5-y-o gelding who has offered little all 4 starts in novice/maiden hurdles and big leap forward required for switch to chasing if he's to figure on handicap bow.

Form: 0039

Just Jess¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 75

9/2

On a lengthy losing run but feasible to think he needed first start for 7 months when fourth of 6 in handicap chase (16/1) at Southwell (24.3f, good) 18 days ago. Operating from a basement mark if he can build on that effort.

Form: 5P86-P4

Watchoutitscookie¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: N J Hawke| OR: 72

3/1

Hurdles winner who ran best race to date in this sphere when third at Perth (23.8f) in May, leaving the impression he should have finished closer. May of needed first start for 6 months when fifth of 7 in handicap chase at Ludlow (23.8f) 19 days ago and not discounted.

Form: 2435-35

Ideal De Romay²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: D R Fox| T: L Kerr| OR: 67

11/1

Irish point winner who is winless under Rules but he did shape better than on yard debut when eighth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Carlisle (24.6f) 25 days ago, travelling well for a long way. Needs to build on that returned to larger obstacles. 2 lb "wrong" at the weights.

Form: 545668

Forecasts

Watchoutitscookie (3/1), Ballynaheer (10/3), Lepashe (7/2), Just Jess (9/2), Boolamore Classic (8/1), Ideal De Romay (11/1), Blue Plan (18/1)

BALLYNAHEER needs to shrug off a lesser effort at Hereford 32 days ago but each of his 2 previous chase efforts had contained definite promise and he's worth another chance to get back on the up. Chase debutant Boolamore Classic and Watchoutitscookie are a couple of others to consider in a race where most have something to prove.