Robert Edwards Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:37 | Winning time: 6m 46.4s

Midnight Gold^p,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 95

15/2

Lightly raced since a hurdles win at Southwell in June 2023 and having offered little encouragement in pair of starts in that sphere this summer, she was already well held when unseating 3 out on her respective chase debut at Fontwell (26f) 4 weeks ago. Has enough to prove for now.

Form: 243-P9U

Karavomylos^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: S Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 94WS

11/8

Dual winner during a consistent 2023 over hurdles. Missed whole of last year and not scaled same heights upon returning, including over fences. Kept on late when seventh of 12 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (23.3f) 48 days ago and he needs to jump better than previously in this sphere. Had wind op.

Form: 2/44567

Reforme²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: R T Dunne| T: T R Gretton| OR: 91

3/1

Maiden hurdler who came closer than ever to breaking his duck when second of 5 in handicap chase at Huntingdon (23.6f, good to firm) 22 days ago, albeit not convincing with his jumping. Still, it remains early days in this sphere and he needs considering.

Form: P4-5652

Ballygelly^h,t¹⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Lily Pinchin| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 72| CD

13/2

Had offered little under Rules before winning a match over C&D back in April with her sole rival clearly not herself. Unsurprisingly failed to match that when pulled up at Warwick (3m) later that month and she's opposable on this return from 6 months off.

Form: 08/7P1P-

Damekap¹⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 59

9/2

Runner-up sole outing in points, but has offered little under Rules to this point, sixth of 13 on handicap hurdle debut at Bangor (23.1f) in June. Needs to step up plenty for the switch to chasing, again operating from out of the weights on return to action.

Form: 2/9007-6

Forecasts

Karavomylos (11/8), Reforme (3/1), Damekap (9/2), Ballygelly (13/2), Midnight Gold (15/2)

KARAVOMYLOS will need to jump better than previously in this sphere, yet he lines up here operating 3 lb below the mark he scored over hurdles from earlier in his career and could well be the way to go on the back of a breathing operation. Tom Gretton's Reforme is the chief threat on the back of his recent Huntingdon second.