Fairlight Studios Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:59 | Winning time: 4m 17.82s

Belle Montrose^p1,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 96| D

14/1

Maiden hurdler who has taken well to larger obstacles, winning 2 of her first 3 starts in this sphere. However, she failed to fire at Fakenham last time and now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 831414

Conquer The Breeze^t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 86| D

7/2

Proved consistent this year and belatedly opened account at Hexham (15.6f, good to soft) in June. Should come on for his spin over that C&D recently, which was his first run for 4 months, and he will be a threat granted an assured round of jumping.

Form: 2-32124

Platenium^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 81| D

10/11

Heading back in the right direction for this yard, shedding his maiden tag in 2m Uttoxeter handicap hurdle in October. Another good effort in that sphere at Newcastle last time, but he didn't jump particularly well when fourth on chase debut at Hexham on his penultimate start.

Form: 654143

Belle Na Bann^t⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 74| D

28/1

Largely out of sorts last season and recent reappearance over 21.2f at this course was hardly inspiring.

Form: 2757P-7

Blended Stealth^b1⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 73| D

16/1

Refitting of cheekpieces and a more positive ride worked the oracle when finally opening his account at Hexham in May. However, he hasn't shown much in a handful of appearances since returning from a break in September and first-time blinkers now replace cheekpieces.

Form: 625965

Formel Park^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 69

3/1

Failed to progress over hurdles, but appeared to be on her way to a winning chase debut when departing 2 out on debut in this sphere at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) last week. Had jumped well prior to that fall and she may well gain compensation here.

Form: P3-208F

Non-Runners

Independent Jimmy³⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: D McCain Jnr J: Charlie Maggs

Forecasts

Platenium (10/11), Formel Park (3/1), Conquer The Breeze (7/2), Independent Jimmy (7/2), Belle Montrose (14/1), Blended Stealth (16/1), Belle Na Bann (28/1)

Provided that her second-last fence departure at Ludlow last week hasn't left a mark, FORMEL PARK could be the answer. She delivered an otherwise competent round of jumping on that occasion and shades preference ahead of Independent Jimmy, who should benefit from this drop back in trip and the refitting of cheekpieces may also help. Conquer The Breeze is also entitled to respect.