paactfamily.com The Unseen Novices' Handicap Chase

Ended 2024 in poor form but in much better heart now, in the thick of it against in-form rivals over C&D (good) in June and after getting outpaced on the home turn at Hexham (1m7f, good to soft) since, he came through strongly to lead late on; back up 2lb; good chance of following up.

Hurdle winner on this course who's added two chase wins over C&D (good) this year; left behind by a James Owen reviver over 2m3f here 16 days ago but has realistic claims back over this trip.

Won 1m7f maiden hurdle at Roscommon last summer but not yet found his feet in handicaps for this yard, over hurdles and on his recent chase debut; cheekpieces the last twice now replaced with first-time visor; plunging in the weights but one to watch for now.

Hasn't gone on from early promise in Irish point and a Perth maiden hurdle but he fared better when runner-up at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft) in June and wind surgery since, with a tongue-tie added to cheekpieces, could help over this sharp test; place chance.

Well treated on past efforts at 2m and 2m4f but he hasn't been in much form for either yard since early in 2024, including in these aids at Cartmel in May, despite taking a heavy fall in the weights.