The Marion Wright Memorial Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase (Class

4) (GBB Race)

TWO MILES ABOUT THREE AND A HALF FURLONGS (2m 3f 98yds) for novice four yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £8650

Owners Prize Money Winner £3494; Second £1746; Third £874; Fourth £437; Fifth £218. (Penalty Value £4568.06)

SEE PAGE 38 FOR CONDITIONS OF THIS RACE.

1 SOPHOSC (IRE) (29)

Ch g Society Rock (IRE) - Ichiuma (USA)

1114- 7 12 0

O The Harefield Racing Club Br Birchill Stables

T Ian Williams, Alvechurch

ORANGE and BLACK diamonds

TIMEFORM VIEW Made it 3-3 over hurdles when easily landing a Fakenham handicap (20f) in October

Unsuited by way the race developed when fourth at Ascot next time, but little impact in 3 starts on the level so far this year Goes chasing now. Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 120

2 OPENING BID (GB) (19)

B g Native Ruler - Clifton Encore (USA)

332-111 CD 8 11 12

O Mr T Hamlin and Mr J M Dare Br Mrs N. L. Naylor

T Chris Down, Cullompton

S Woodwarm Stoves

PURPLE, YELLOW stars, hooped sleeves, YELLOW cap, PURPLE star.

TIMEFORM VIEW With the usual headgear left off, opened his account over fences at Worcester in May and hasn’t looked back since, also scoring at Newton Abbot before forging clear to complete the hat-trick at this C&D 19 days ago Can add to his tally.

3 NORLEY (IRE) (43)

B g Yeats (IRE) - No Moore Bills

O Mrs G. Morgan

T Ben Pauling, Naunton

BEIGE, DARK GREEN hoop and armlets, MAROON cap.

3311-32 CD 8 11 12

Br Joseph Smiddy

S Fitzdares

TIMEFORM VIEW Showed improved form last season, scoring twice over hurdles before making his second start over fences a winning one at Huntingdon in April Resumed his progress when runner-up in this sphere at Bangor (20.3f) in June, so he’s not taken lightly Star RatingHHHHI Official BHA Rating 118

4 GOLD LINK (FR) (3)

B g Rail Link - Une de Montot (FR)

O Owners Group 057

T Emma Lavelle, Marlborough

MAUVE, BLACK chevrons on sleeves, BLACK cap.

2/22/-24U

BF 7 11 7

Br Jean-Francois Lamborot & Edouard Walsh

S Owners Group

TIMEFORM VIEW Showed he retains his ability after nearly 2 years off when runner-up over hurdles in May. Better than the result when fourth of 5 at Cartmel on chase debut, weakening having gone clear after the last, before unseating early 3 days ago Remains with potential as a chaser.

Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 113 TOM BELLAMY

5 MAGISTRATO (FR) (16)

B g Kapgarde (FR) - Franche Alliance (FR)

P-P2142 5 11 5

O Knowle Racing Stables Limited Br E.A.R.L. Haras de La Croix Sonnet

T Deborah Cole, Solihull

WHITE, ROYAL BLUE chevron, armlets and cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Won on final outing for Paul Nicholls at Warwick (16.2f) in May and has run to a similar level on both starts for his current yard, reverting to front-running tactics when second of 3 at Newton Abbot 16 days ago May just find others stronger, though.

Star RatingHHIII Official BHA Rating 111 CHRIS WARD (3)

6 GO FOX (GB) (19)

Ch g Foxwedge (AUS) - Bling Bling (IRE)

O The Ridgeway Racing For Fun Partnership

T Neil King, Burderop

04-411F C 8 10 2

Br Whitsbury Manor Stud and Mrs M. E. Slade

DARK BLUE, YELLOW Cross of Lorraine, RED sleeves, DARK BLUE cap, YELLOW star.

TIMEFORM VIEW Took advantage of a much-reduced mark when successful at Fakenham in June and followed up at this course (17f) 16 days later. Fell at the ninth in his hat-trick bid over C&D 19 days ago (race won by Opening Bid) so bounce back called for, but he remains well treated on old form

Star RatingHHIII Official BHA Rating 93 JACK QUINLAN

7 TREMWEDGE (GB) (58) 444PP-6 7 10 2

B g Foxwedge (AUS) - Tremelo Pointe (IRE)

O Mrs Gill Summers Br Fonthill Farms & Mr J. Dean

T Rob Summers, Solihull

LIGHT BLUE, WHITE hoops and armlets

TIMEFORM VIEW Fair maiden hurdler for Alan King but has lost his way over fences for his current yard, beaten some way out when sixth of 7 behind Opening Bid at Worcester in May. Up against it once more. Star RatingHIIII Official BHA Rating 76 CHARLIE

Number of Declared Runners 7 (Exacta) Hood worn by No. 6. Tongue Strap worn by No. 3, 5.

2022: SERJEANT PAINTER 7 11 2

BETTING FORECAST:

15-8 Opening Bid (GB), 7-2 Norley (IRE), 9-2 Gold Link (FR), 8-1 Sophosc (IRE), 10-1 Magistrato (FR), 11-1 Go Fox (GB), 100-1 Tremwedge (GB)

RACE SUMMARY:

OPENING BID has thrived with the headgear left off over fences, completing a hat-trick with a dominant success over C&D 19 days ago. He can score again in his current mood, though Norley resumed his progress last time and is feared most. Gold Link also remains open to improvement as a chaser

1-2-3:

1.OPENING BID

2.NORLEY (IRE) 3.GOLD LINK (FR) FREE form for all British and Irish meetings is available online every day at timeform.com/free

The Great British Bonus (GBB) Scheme offers multiple bonuses of up to £20,000 per eligible race for British-bred fillies and mares.

T H E FA MI LY & FR IE ND S OF MA RI ON WR IG HT

The Family & Friends of Marion Wright have generously sponsored this race and will present a memento to the winning owner and a £50 cash prize to the stable employee responsible for the best turned out horse