bet365 Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 6m 9.24s

Jo Coko³⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 112

11/10

Purchased for £105,000 after winning an Irish point and shaped encouragingly when placed first 2 starts over hurdles. Disappointing down in trip here last time but interesting now going chasing for an in-form new stable (previously trained by James Ewart).

Form: 1/234-

Cosmic Blizzard^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 107

6/1

Stepped up on his return in pushing a less-exposed one close in 8-runner handicap chase at Kelso (23.4f, good to soft) 47 days ago. Cheekpieces back on and respected from 3 lb higher.

Form: 411-142

Blakey Boy^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 101

7/1

Modest winning hurdler who had yet to make a move from mid-division when falling at the eleventh on his chasing debut at Kelso last month.

Form: 581-27F

Paddy O'Mahler^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 100| BF

15/8

Winning hurdler who has finished runner-up both starts in handicap chases, albeit no match for winner in 5-runner handicap at Wetherby (24.2f) latterly. Cheekpieces back on and good claims from same mark.

Form: 5145-22

Non-Runners

Orkney Blue¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: N W Alexander J: Bruce Lynn

Forecasts

Jo Coko (11/10), Paddy O'Mahler (15/8), Cosmic Blizzard (6/1), Orkney Blue (13/2), Blakey Boy (7/1)

JO COKO showed promise on 2 of his 3 starts over hurdles for James Ewart and being an Irish point winner, it's reasonable to assume he can do even better now switching to chasing for an-form yard. Paddy O'Mahler and Cosmic Blizzard are feared most in that order.