13:15 Market Rasen

Tuesday 26 December 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:4714:2214:5715:32

Mal & Mo Fox Memorial Vase Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 6m 25.81s

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Selected odds by:

Glance From Clover^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 97

14/1

Improved in first-time cheekpieces when finally off the mark in 8-runner Warwick handicap hurdle in March. Entitled to strip fitter for his recent Ludlow return but he ran poorly tried over fences at aforementioned venue in May.

Form: 4614-84

Noche Negra^p1⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 95

12/1

Down the field all 3 starts in maiden hurdles but was placed in points earlier in his career and looks an interesting handicap/chasing debutant. Watch betting. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 32/80-7

Annaharvey Lad⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 91

7/2

Lightly-raced maiden who shaped as if needing the run when sixth of 10 in a handicap hurdle at this course (20.6f, good to soft) on return 40 days ago. Step up in trip ought to suit and appeals as the type to take to chasing (made the frame in Irish points).

Form: 43/478-6

Le Grand Vert^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 89

10/1

Hurdles winner in France in summer 2021. No impact over hurdles for this yard but more encouragement in two chase outings in the spring and likely needed last month's return at Wetherby. Not taken lightly.

Form: 48/024-7

Artic Breeze^p,t1²⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 85| D

5/2

Showed very little in 6 hurdle starts for Laura Morgan but was an Irish point winner earlier in his career, so worth a precautionary check in the betting now going chasing.

Form: 666P2P-

Via Dante^b²⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 80

7/1

Little impact in varied events over hurdles but surely would have won but for departing late (in control when fell 2 out) at Newton Abbot (25.8f) when last seen in April. Major player if returning in similar form.

Form: 8777FF-

Benny Baloo³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Hammond| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79| D

3/1

Just poor form over hurdles but shaped better sent chasing when fifth of 9 in handicap at Newcastle (23.4f) 33 days ago, finishing with running left after meeting some trouble approaching 2 out. Open to improvement.

Form: 1/0465-5

Non-Runners

Dr Lockdown¹⁹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 6

T: D J Jeffreys J: Max Kendrick

Voice Of Hope²⁹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 6

T: M Young J: Tabitha Worsley

Forecasts

Artic Breeze (5/2), Benny Baloo (3/1), Annaharvey Lad (7/2), Via Dante (7/1), Le Grand Vert (10/1), Dr Lockdown (10/1), Noche Negra (12/1), Glance From Clover (14/1), Voice Of Hope (66/1)

BENNY BALOO left the strong impression he should have finished much closer on his chasing debut at Newcastle last month and is fully expected to build on that with professional pilot Charlie Hammond now taking over in the saddle. Via Dante would have won at Newton Abbot in the spring but for departing late and is an obvious threat if returning in similar form, while Noche Negra and Annaharvey Lad are other interesting contenders in what looks a good race for the grade.