Rix Oakleys Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:12 | Winning time: 4m 4.3s

L'empire Vert^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 90

3/1

Maiden hurdler who looked in need of the run after 6 months off when ninth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Worcester (16f, good to soft) 15 days ago. Reverts to fences now and could still do better.

Form: P7528-9

Mega Speculator^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Reed| T: Daisy Hitchins| OR: 86

9/1

Modest ex-Irish maiden hurdler who was pulled up for his new yard on his chase debut in 2m2f Fontwell handicap 14 days ago. Has lots to prove.

Form: 59-906P

Catboy^p³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: R T Dunne| T: Christian Williams| OR: 77

7/4

Arrives below par over hurdles, seventh of 14 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good to soft) 32 days ago. Had shown some promise over fences previously so can't be discounted back in this sphere in refitted cheekpieces.

Form: 6P0F87

Megascope⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 73

25/1

Poor maiden hurdler/chaser. Tongue tied when pulled up in handicap chase at Stratford (22.6f, good to soft) 7 days ago. Others are much preferred.

Form: 667P4P

Outback Frontiers^p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: R Patrick| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 69| D

4/1

Fair winning hurdler who posted an encouraging fourth of 7 back chasing in handicap at Stratford (22.6f, good) 19 days ago. A likely player back down in trip off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 9P-0504

Formel Park^p1⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 69

9/2

Has twice failed to build on a good Ffos Las reappearance second in May, only eighth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Worcester (20f, good) last time. Goes over fences now with cheekpieces added.

Form: 0P3-208

Non-Runners

Little Pi³

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: S Allwood J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Catboy (7/4), L'empire Vert (3/1), Outback Frontiers (4/1), Formel Park (9/2), Mega Speculator (9/1), Megascope (25/1)

Most of these arrive with a question mark against them so this looks a good opportunity for OUTBACK FRONTIERS to build on his recent Stratford fourth and gain a first victory in this sphere. Catboy appeals as the one to chase him home back over fences ahead of L'Empire Vert.