Racing TV Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 12:16 | Winning time: 4m 3.4s

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Selected odds by:

Khage¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 135| D

11/4

Progressive front-running hurdler last season winning on three occasions and comes here for his chasing debut on a hat-trick. Yet to be tried in a handicap and now makes his chasing debut; looks a good prospect in this sphere.

Form: 217211-

Esprit Du Large¹⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 131| D

9/2

Quickly switched to fences having won twice over hurdles either side of the turn of the year. Highly tried on his one handicap start over hurdles at Aintree (final start of last season); looks a fine prospect for chasing off a decent mark.

Form: 71410-

Buster Valentine²²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 130| BF| D

12/1

Irish point-to-point winner who despite his two successes over hurdles (first two races under Rules) was always going to be better over fences. Pulled up when last seen over hurdles; still looks a good prospect in this sphere back from a break.

Form: 1112P-

Smiths Cross²⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 127| BF| D

7/1

Type to leave his bumper/hurdles form behind over fences having already won a point-to-point in Ireland (off the mark at the third attempt). Disappointing when last seen over hurdles (beaten at odds-on); makes his handicap debut here.

Form: 112/224-

The King Of May⁵⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 125| D

20/1

Dual French hurdle winner (good ground) before joining this yard for three hurdle runs in 2018 although didn't really progress through those starts. Now goes chasing for the first time off a fair absence; will do well to cope with principals.

Form: 611302/

West To The Bridge^h,t¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125

11/2

Dual novice hurdle winner who was well beaten on his two handicap hurdling efforts; now quickly switched to fences. No reason why he can't go well in this sphere although others may hold a little more scope.

Form: 013719-

Hill Sixteen²¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 123| C

3/1

Novice hurdle winner here last February getting off the mark at the fifth attempt but not having to improve to do so. Like many in this field now quickly switched to handicaps; should make up into a good handicap chaser but may need a longer trip.

Form: 322214-

Non-Runners

River Frost¹⁶

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: B Haslam J: J M Quinlan

Forecasts

Khage (11/4), Hill Sixteen (3/1), Esprit Du Large (9/2), West To The Bridge (11/2), Smiths Cross (7/1), Buster Valentine (12/1), River Frost (14/1), The King Of May (20/1)

Plenty of good chasing prospects line up here in a race where previous chasing form is virtually non-existent but the majority of the discipline switchers have good hurdles form. KHAGE comes here looking to complete a hat-trick having won his last two hurdles starts and this front-running type may be able to dominate again despite having a large weight to carry. Espirit Du Large looks another who can play a big part along with Buster Valentine although the latter may need a greater test of stamina to show his true worth. West Of The Bridge and Hill Sixteen add some further depth to a race which should provide plenty of winners in the future.