6.20pm The IJF South West Hub Now Open Handicap Chase

The Ijf South West Hub Now Open Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 4)

TWO MILES ABOUT THREE AND A HALF FURLONGS (2m 3f 98yds)

for four yrs old and upwards Total race value £9400 Owners Prize Money. Winner £3338; Second £1670; Third £834; Fourth £418; Fifth £280; Sixth £280; Seventh £280; Eighth £280. (Penalty Value £4356.80)

SEE PAGE38 FOR CONDITIONS OF THIS RACE.

O OWNER T TRAINER B BREEDER S SPONSOR

No./Horse FORM Age st lb Jockey

1 DEBDEN BANK (GB) (31) PP1-P30 8 12 2

B g Cacique (IRE) - Rose Row O Martin Keighley Racing Partnership 6 Br Cotswold Stud T Martin Keighley, Cheltenham S Fbc Manby Bowdler WHITE, DARK BLUE stars, RED sleeves, DARK BLUE stars, DARK BLUE cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW 3-time chase winner last season and, after a wind op, ran respectably over hurdles when third at Southwell in June. Well below form next time, so needs to bounce back returned to chasing in 1st-time tongue tie. Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 112 JAMES BEST

2 STEADY THE SHIP (IRE) (24) 01-1323 6 12 0

Ch g Ocovango - Vinnie’s Princess (IRE) O Pitch Racing Br Martin Ryan

T Jonjo O’Neill, Cheltenham S Wasdell Group

LIGHT GREEN, WHITE hoop and armlets, check cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Won his first 2 starts over fences at Southwell (20.4f) in April/May and, following a blip at Huntingdon, has run creditably on his last 2 outings. Can give another good account. Star RatingHHHHI Official BHA Rating 110 JONJO O’NEILL JR.

3 MAKETY (GB) (39)

0/321P-6 8 11 7

Ch m Black Sam Bellamy (IRE) - Mi Money O Mrs Sally White Br David Jenks T Oliver Sherwood, Upper Lambourn S Rewards 4 Racing Ltd DARK BLUE, PINK epaulets, PINK sleeves, DARK BLUE diamonds, PINK cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Former point winner who struck at the second attempt in this sphere at Worcester last season. Has a bit to prove though after her last 2 starts 9 months apart (pulled up on return). Star RatingHHIII Official BHA Rating 103 JONATHAN BURKE

4 SMITH’S BAY (GB) (25) 42-P623 D 9 11 1

B g Midnight Legend - Takotna (IRE) O Kim Franklin & Polly Walker

Br Ian Payne & Kim Franklin T Polly Gundry, Ottery St Mary S Polly Gundry Training EMERALD GREEN, RED star, WHITE sleeves, RED stars, RED cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Has reverted to chasing this season and took a step back in right direction when second at this C&D in June. Not in the same form here next time, but capable of getting involved off his current mark. Star RatingHHHHI Official BHA Rating 97 NICK SCHOLFIELD

5 BOSTON JOE (IRE) (27) 0-31100 C 6 10 13

B g Sageburg (IRE) - Supreme Millie (IRE) O Miss Rebecca Curtis

Br T. Horgan T Rebecca Curtis, Newport S William Hill ROYAL BLUE, RED chevron, ROYAL BLUE sleeves, YELLOW stars, RED cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Left chase debut form behind when scoring at Ffos Las in May and followed up here (17f) 17 days later. However, now needs to get back on track following 2 below-par efforts. First try at this trip over fences. Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 95 PAUL O’BRIEN

6 TIME TO BITE (IRE) (36) 55-056P 7 10 6

B g Scorpion (IRE) - Time To Act O Mr C. Honour

Br Barry Murphy T Chris Honour, Ashburton S Cotswold Stone Supplies RED, WHITE star, WHITE and RED halved sleeves, RED cap, WHITE stars.

TIMEFORM VIEW Remains a maiden after 18 NH runs. Pulled up in novice chase at Tipperary (19.5f) last month. Has enough to prove on first run for yard after leaving L. J. Archdeacon. Star RatingHHIII Official BHA Rating 88 BRYAN CARVER

7 BLAZE A TRAIL (IRE) (25) 6P-P061 CD 8 10 5

B g Morozov (USA) - Bright Blaze (IRE) O Belly’s Heroes

Br J. H. Kidd T John Flint, Bridgend S Tote WHITE and ROYAL BLUE stripes, hooped sleeves, ROYAL BLUE cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Fair winning hurdler/chaser in Ireland and in a hood he bounced back with an easy victory over C&D last month. Can follow up. Star RatingHHHHH Official BHA Rating 87

CONNOR BRACE

8 SEVERUS ALEXANDER (IRE) (56) 0PP0/6-P 6 10 2

B g Zoffany (IRE) - Sacrosanct (IRE) O The Pink House Partnership Br Anne Marie O’ Brien & Joseph Crowley & Peter Magnier

T Clare Hobson, Royston S Clare Hobson Racing

PINK, WHITE star, sleeves and star on cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Has shown little on the Flat this year and, after 4 months off, fared no better when pulled up in handicap hurdle at Southwell in June. Best watched on only his second start over fences. Star RatingHIIII Official BHA Rating 82 BEN POSTE

9 SPECIAL BUDDY (IRE) (92) 5153-16 8 10 2

B g Robin des Pres (FR) - Annees d’Or (IRE) O Mrs Sophie Pauling Br Oliver McDonnell T Ben Pauling, Naunton BLACK, RED hooped sleeves and cap. S Jeremy Houghton - Houghtonart, Fitzdares Club

TIMEFORM VIEW Placed on first 4 starts last season, but ended the campaign on a low note when well held at Worcester. Has won twice in points since last seen under Rules 13 months ago. Cheekpieces back on. Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 76 FINN LAMBERT (7)

Number of Declared Runners 9..................................................................................................(Exacta)

Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 1. Hood worn by No. 7. Blinkers worn by No. 2. Visor worn by No. 1. Tongue Strap worn by No. 5, 8, 9. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 9.

T H E R E S U L T . . .

IST ......................................................

2ND ..................................................... 3RD ......................................................

4TH ...................................................... DISTANCES..................................

TIME................................................

2021: CHAPATI (FR) 7 11 5 Fergus Gregory 7-1 (Jake Coulson) 7 ran

PLAY SMARTER

BETTING FORECAST:

11-4 Blaze A Trail (IRE), 7-2 Steady The Ship (IRE), 11-2 Smith’s Bay (GB), 8-1 Boston Joe (IRE), 10-1 Debden Bank (GB), 12-1 Special Buddy (IRE), 14-1 Makety (GB), 20-1 Time To Bite (IRE), 66-1 Severus Alexander (IRE)

RACE SUMMARY:

BLAZE A TRAIL had shown little since joining his current yard, but fitted with a hood, he returned to form when an easy winner of a C&D handicap 25 days ago. The 8-y-o remains on a good mark based on his form in Ireland, so he can see off the challenge of Steady The Ship who has taken well to chasing for Jonjo O’Neill. Smith’s Bay completes the shortlist.

1-2-3:

1.BLAZE A TRAIL (IRE) 2.STEADY THE SHIP (IRE) 3.SMITH’S BAY

FREE form for all British and Irish meetings is available online every day at timeform.com/free

I J F S O U T H

IJF South has generously sponsored this race and will present a memento to the winning owner and award a cash prize of £50 to the stable employee in charge of the best turned out horse.