Structured Communications Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 7.95s

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Selected odds by:

Templier^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-6| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 106| C

6/1

Course winner in a 2m novice hurdle he's been winless in all spheres since then making a rather inauspicious start over fences last time. Did briefly get into the race last time (folded quickly at the business end); may do better this time.

Form: 5/023F-4

Drewmain Legend²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: A Stronge| OR: 98

11/2

Chepstow handicap winner over hurdles early last year but hasn't returned in the same form with his jumping over hurdles looking very slipshod. Ran poorly last time and was soon beaten (jumped better); now makes chasing debut.

Form: 271-450

Babytaggle^h¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 92

4/1

Looked limited over hurdles but is a winner in point-to-points; despite failing to complete the last twice he's better than his form figures suggest. Lack of stamina looked the issue last time (3m2f had travelled well); this trip should suit better.

Form: 75-84UP

Champion Chase^p⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: W T Kennedy| T: M R Bosley| OR: 89

5/2

Can be given a better chance on his form of last year (three-time runner-up off higher marks than here; twice over C&D). Below-par of late though and fared poorly over 2m last time when fading late on; work to do.

Form: 222-F56

Minella Gathering³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: P Henderson| OR: 84| C

5/1

Has returned from an eight month break looking out of sorts and lacking any zest in his hurdles starts. Not the best of jumpers in that sphere so it remains to be seen how he fares over fences; handicapper cuts him some slack.

Form: 5P-4578

Micquus^p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins| OR: 78| C

9/2

Caused a shock when winning over 2m1f here last time from 10lb out of the handicap (outsiders filled first two places; favourite unseated 5 out) in first-time cheekpieces. Only 1lb higher in an equally weak heat, claims if headgear works again.

Form: 7354P1

Forecasts

Champion Chase (5/2), Babytaggle (4/1), Micquus (9/2), Minella Gathering (5/1), Drewmain Legend (11/2), Templier (6/1)

Whilst his last two form figures don’t look that impressive BABYTAGGLE has in fact run a lot better than those letters suggest with the drop back in trip likely to be the do his advantage having travelled well to a point last time. Micquus appeared to thrive for the application of cheekpieces last time over a shorter trip here and the headgear plus the increased trip will see him need to improve on that win. Templier wasn’t disgraced on his chasing debut but is 4lb lower in a weaker race and he can’t be ignored even off top weight. Champion Chase has been runner-up off higher marks in the past around here but does need to bounce back to that sort of form.