Virgin Bet Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 7m 10.1s

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Selected odds by:

Percy Veering^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 100| D

4/1

Much improved this season after a breathing operation, winning all 3 starts in handicap chases, including at Exeter (24.2f, heavy) 24 days ago by 4¼ lengths from Caeruleum. 5 lb worse off with runner-up here but solid claims nonetheless.

Form: UP2-111

Haston Clermont²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: Noel Williams| OR: 96

4/1

Failed to match bumper promise in 3 novice hurdles last season but left chase/handicap bow well behind when winning at Lingfield (23.5f, good to soft) on second start back 26 days ago, suited by increase in trip. Should have more to offer in this sphere.

Form: 4555-61

Caeruleum^t1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryan Carver| T: R Walford| OR: 90| BF

5/2

Well held in novice hurdles but showed some improvement on handicap bow when sixth here on belated return and even better switched to fences for the first time when 4¼ lengths second to Percy Veering at Exeter last month, clear of rest. 5 lb better off with winner here. Tongue strap on. Big shout.

Form: 576-62

Galway Mahler^p,t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: K Jewell| OR: 81

18/1

Returned to form from out of the blue fitted with this headgear when 1½ lengths third of 12 to Haston Clermont in handicap chase at Lingfield (23.5f, good to soft) 26 days ago but remains to be seen if able to back that up (pulled up 5 of 6 previous starts).

Form: P7P-PP3

Hilltown²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 76| D

7/2

Most fortunate when getting off the mark hurdles at Plumpton (25f, soft) in April but held his form reasonably well subsequently in that sphere. Hasn't posed much of a threat over fences in 3 starts to date, however, let down by jumping at Lingfield latest.

Form: 44373P

Seymour Promise^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 76

7/1

Long-standing maiden who was again prominent in the betting at Exeter last time but seems to have completely lost his form.

Form: 52P08P

Forecasts

Caeruleum (5/2), Hilltown (7/2), Haston Clermont (4/1), Percy Veering (4/1), Seymour Promise (7/1), Galway Mahler (18/1)

CAERULEUM found Percy Veering too strong when first and second at Exeter last month but Caeruleum was making his chase debut that day so may be able to reverse the placings with a 5 lb swing in the weights. Haston Clermont was suited by the stamina test when off the mark at Lingfield and is best of the others.