SECOND RACE 2.00

TWO MILES ABOUT FOUR FURLONGS (2M 4F 20YDS) (4,000m)

THE BetVictor BALNAKEILLY NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE

(CLASS 3) (GBB RACE)

for novice five yrs old and upwards, ™ Total prize fund £13000

Owners Prize Money. 1st £5251, 2nd £2625, 3rd £1313, 4th £657, 5th £328.

Leading course trainer (17-22): L Russell (32 wins from 332 runners, 10%) runs DIAMOND STATE

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): P Nicholls (10 wins from 43 runners, 23%) runs HUELGOAT

Longest Traveller: HUELGOAT trained by P Nicholls, Ditcheat, 451 miles.

(Penalty Value £6865.30) Weights raised 6lb and paragraph 34 of the Weights and Handicapping Code complied with where applicable colours no horse age st-lb

1 HUELGOAT (FR) (121) 111322

6 11-10

Br B g Voiladenuo (FR) - Cavadee (FR) Lorcan Williams J

O Owners Group 080 Paul Nicholls, Ditcheat T

B Jean-Bernard Chapalain Owners Group S

TIMEFORM VIEW Has fine record over fences, winning first 4 starts and running creditably in defeat since. Given a break since latest Wincanton second on Boxing Day. Likely to give a good account for last year’s winning yard TFRHHHHI BHA124

2 CAPTAIN QUINT (IRE) (31) U33215 D BF

7 11-8

Br B g Flemensfirth (USA) - Vics Miller (IRE) Craig Nichol J

O Mr & Mrs Duncan Davidson Rose Dobbin, Alnwick T

B Robert B. Hodgins Hazelrigg Racing S

TIMEFORM VIEW Won on chase debut at Hexham (2m) in November and back on scoreboard in match race at Ayr (20.5f, good to firm) in March. Shaped as if still in good form (made bad mistake 4 out) when fifth of 9 at Carlisle latest TFRHHHHI BHA122

3 FUSAIN (FR) (11) 524113

8 11-8

Br Gr g Lord du Sud (FR) - Savigny (FR) Kevin Brogan J

O Mr Eamon McElligott Patrick Neville, Leyburn T

B Mrs Clotilde de Barmon et al The Red Armoury S

TIMEFORM VIEW Opened chase account in a match at Newcastle (2m) in February and followed up in a 3-runner novice at Catterick (19f) 12 days ago Out of depth in Aintree Grade 1 recently (remote third) but contender back at a more realistic level. TFRHHHHI BHA122

4 GREY SKIES (IRE) (34) 12-0541

7 11-3

Br Gr g Cloudings (IRE) - Garden Heaven (IRE) Brian Hughes J

O Thomas Fearn Donald McCain, Cholmondeley T

B Donal Casey Proactive Personnel Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEW Maiden/novice hurdle winner last season but this point winner hasn’t made the expected progress since switch to fences, with his latest Sedgefield success gained in very fortunate circumstances, 8 lengths down when sole rival fell last. TFRHHIII BHA117

5 UNIVERSAL FOLLY (GB) (45) 14-2021

8 11-2

Br B g Universal (IRE) - Madam Jolie (IRE) Sean Quinlan J

O Tor Side Racing Nicky Richards, Greystoke T

B Mrs P. A. Cowey First Recruitment Group, Equine Products Ltd (Equine Nutrition) S

TIMEFORM VIEW Third hurdle win when seeing off 6 rivals at Market Rasen last month. Showed promise on the first of 2 chase starts at the end of 2022 and he returns to fences off the same mark as at Market Rasen. TFRHHHHH BHA116

6 DIAMOND STATE (FR) (29) 314324 D

7 10-9

Br B g Vision d’Etat (FR) - Wonderful Diamond (GER) Derek Fox J

O Mr Gerry McGladery

Lucinda Russell, Kinross T

B S.C.E.A Ecurie Cerdeval Ian Macleod & Co Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Scored at Musselburgh in December Mostly respectable efforts since and his mark continues to ease TFRHHHII BHA109

DECLARED RUNNERS 6

2022: UBETYA (IRE) 7 11 3 Harry Cobden 6-1 (Paul Nicholls) 5 ran Tongue Strap worn by No 1, 3, 6. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No 3, 6.

Probable S.P’s: 3-1 Huelgoat (FR), 7-2 Universal Folly (GB), 4-1 Captain Quint (IRE), 5-1 Fusain (FR), 8-1 Diamond State (FR), 10-1 Grey Skies (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

UNIVERSAL FOLLY returns to fences off the same mark as when successful over hurdles at Market Rasen last month and gets the vote Paul Nicholls won this race last year and his Huelgoat is much respected back from a break. Captain Quint is another who should go well.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.UNIVERSAL FOLLY 2.HUELGOAT (FR) 3.CAPTAIN QUINT (IRE)