racingtv.com/freetrial Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 7.04s

Jiair Madrik^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 100

16/1

Fair winner of a conditions hurdle in France in 2023 but following an absence of more than 2 years, has offered little in pair of hurdle runs for new connections. Previously worn tongue tie replaces hood and remains with plenty to prove.

Form: 2342/8P

Stick With Me Sam^h,t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: T R Gretton| OR: 98| D

4/7

Readily off the mark in 8-runner handicap chase at Hexham (15.6f, heavy) and followed up with a strong-travelling success in a race run to suit at Warwick (16.3f) on New Year's Eve (hung left home straight). Up another 5 lb but looks capable of landing the hat-trick.

Form: 22U-711

Bid Up^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr P J Cawley⁽⁷⁾| T: B Cawley| OR: 93

11/1

5-y-o maiden lost his way for Paul John Gilligan (reflected in his mark) and was undone by his jumping on stable/chase debut at Downpatrick (20.6f) on Boxing Day. Drops back in distance (unproven beyond 2m) and worth a look in the betting for Irish yard having rare runner on these shores.

Form: 6-00009

Forcetoreckonwith^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 87

11/4

Irish point winner remains a maiden under Rules but improved when runner-up in 2m handicap chase at Sedgefield (soft). Paid the price for again failing to settle when fourth in strongly-run race at Huntingdon latest but this lightly-raced mare has the ability if she can put it all together.

Form: 3-57024

Elusive Knight^p1⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 83

14/1

Won sole start in Points. Shaped encouragingly on yard/hurdling debut at Ffos Las (15.8f) in October but disappointed since, latest when upped markedly in trip for handicap hurdle debut (23.9f). Races off a basement however and isn't discount if first-time headgear/switch to chasing does the trick.

Form: 1-58040

Forecasts

Stick With Me Sam (4/7), Forcetoreckonwith (11/4), Bid Up (11/1), Elusive Knight (14/1), Jiair Madrik (16/1)

No obvious pace on, but this is still a good opportunity for hat-trick seeking STICK WITH ME SAM who beat a next-time out winner at Warwick last month. Forcetoreckonwith can make an impact at this level if she can learn to settle, while Elusive Knight (first-time cheekpieces) has been disappointing over hurdles but did win his sole start in points.