13:00 Wetherby

Saturday 1 February 2025

All12:3013:0013:3314:0814:4315:1515:5016:22

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 5m 17.00s

Ileny Royale^h,t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 99| D

16/1

Placed twice from 4 starts over hurdles in France and has shown improved form over fences this season, in reapplied tongue tie when getting off the mark in handicap at Ffos Las (19.4f, heavy) in November. Lesser effort at Exeter last time but he's not ruled out.

Form: 47P-61P

Diamond Mix³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: Paul Robson| OR: 97

28/1

Hinted at ability on bumper debut and made the frame in a Carlisle novice (19.3f) on first start over hurdles. However, has gone backwards from that effort in 2 starts since, so he needs to get back on track as he makes handicap/chase debut.

Form: 6-9455

So Many Roads^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: D W Whillans| OR: 97

5/1

Made a winning handicap hurdle debut at Ayr in early-2023 but didn't manage to kick on last season. However, after 11 months off (had wind op) he ran creditably when third of 18 back at Ayr (20.4f, soft) 30 days ago. One to consider as he goes chasing.

Form: F/6457-3

Empty Nest^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 94| BF| CD

4/1

In first-time tongue tie, off the mark at this C&D (soft) on Boxing Day and again ran well when second at Newcastle (20.1f, good to soft) 16 days ago. Going through a good spell and he can make his presence felt once more.

Form: PP4612

Tenbobeachway⁷³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Power⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 94

18/1

Shaped like a stayer sole outing in bumpers but steadily went the right way in 3 starts over hurdles, fifth of 10 in novice at Newcastle (20.3f, soft) when last seen in January 2023. Has lengthy absence to overcome on handicap/chase debut.

Form: 5585/

Hawkseye View³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Theo Gillard| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 93| BF

10/3

Point winner who showed improved form on third start in handicap chases when runner-up at Newcastle in November. Let down by his jumping when well held at this C&D (soft) last time, but it remains early days for him in this sphere so he could bounce back.

Form: 05-7625

Nedzor³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 90

8/1

Runner-up in a point and has shown promise over hurdles, again shaping as if he'll be suited by further when third of 5 in handicap at Southwell (15.8f, heavy) on New Year's Day. One to note over this longer distance on chase debut.

Form: 2/374-23

Jumper Madrik⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 87

10/3

Didn't offer much in novice/maiden hurdles, but sent chasing he left those efforts behind when winning 9-runner handicap at Leicester (20.1f, soft) in December, keeping on well. Major player with further progress to come.

Form: 7-001

Time Was⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 84

18/1

Winning pointer but down the field in an Irish hunter chase on Rules debut. Has shown a bit more over hurdles for current yard, making the frame in handicaps on her last 2 starts without finding as much as she'd promised. More needed back over fences.

Form: 3P8-544

Thatsy^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 84

33/1

Twenty-four runs since last win in 2019 and made little impact on return from 18 month off when sixth of 8 in handicap chase at this C&D (heavy) in December. Has fallen further in the weights but others still preferred.

Form: 86/648-6

Non-Runners

Chosen Hero¹

Weight: 11-13| Age: 7

T: A Watson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Jumper Madrik (10/3), Hawkseye View (10/3), Empty Nest (4/1), So Many Roads (5/1), Nedzor (8/1), Ileny Royale (16/1), Time Was (18/1), Tenbobeachway (18/1), Chosen Hero (25/1), Diamond Mix (28/1), Thatsy (33/1)

Upped in trip, JUMPER MADRIK proved a different proposition sent chasing for his handicap debut when winning at Leicester last time, well on top at the finish, and he is taken to score again now that he's up and running. Empty Nest has taken a step forward with a tongue tie added on his last 2 starts and is respected, with Hawkseye View also considered.