GPP Novices' Chase

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 5m 16.2s

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Selected odds by:

Midnight Shot²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 137

5/4

137 rated and a perfect two from two since switched to fences. Made all on debut at Towcester (2m5f+) to beat subsequent winner Lofgren by 5L and jumped soundly for this rider to see off a Nicky Henderson trained rival back at that track a few weeks later. Drop in trip no concern given his run style.

Form: 102P-11

Cup Final^t1³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 138

7/1

138 rated and took full advantage of a 'penalty kick' on his chasing debut at Southwell in April, but not able to get to grips with Eyes Of A Tiger in what was effectively another match at Sedgefield latest. Not the force of old over hurdles, and noticeable that a tongue tie is applied.

Form: P/1041-2

Elusive Theatre¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: S R B Crawford

5/4

Couldn't have been any more impressive on her chasing debut in a demolition job at Cartmel late last month (2m5f good to soft). Whilst that race took little or no winning (mediocre opposition), this mare was foot prefect. Slight worry drying ground could count against her.

Form: 3F123-1

Flying Jack^p1,t1²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 89

20/1

Has made the frame just once from 11 starts, that being here over 2m4f (good) in a maiden hurdle. Shown very little in two starts over fences, and outclassed in this with various aids (tongue tie, cheek-pieces) applied.

Form: 488-666

For Yes¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: W Coltherd| C

66/1

Dual Point-to-Point winner in the spring of 2016, but shown no ability in two starts under rules and pulled up over fences (3m) here last month.

Form: 333-P51

Pineapple Crush¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter

125/1

Her form in maiden/novice hurdles was only modest at best and her recent efforts in handicaps have shown little more. Makes her chasing debut against some useful rivals for the time of year.

Form: 6306-47

Wyfield Rose^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 101| C

25/1

A five time winner over hurdles in 2016 during a purple patch which commenced at this track in May. However, not so sharp this year and tailed off when unseating her rider over fences latest. Out of her depth today.

Form: 21PP0-U

Forecasts

Midnight Shot (5/4), Elusive Theatre (5/4), Cup Final (7/1), Flying Jack (20/1), Wyfield Rose (25/1), For Yes (66/1), Pineapple Crush (125/1)

MIDNIGHT SHOT has a double penalty to shoulder, but his riders 7lb claim comes in handy and effectively negates one of those penalties. He likes to race prominently and could be taken on for the lead by the emphatic Cartmel winner Elusive Theatre, but with worries as to that mares effectiveness on a sounder surface, Charlie Longsdon is fancied to land a second winner on the afternoon. Cup Final was once a most talented handicap hurdler, and the suspicion is that he's not quite the force of old, but he is also respected in an excellent novices chase for June.