15:20 Huntingdon
A small field of just the five runners in this Novices' Handicap Chase but it is an intriguing race in which a case can be made for all of them.
Ubak for Gary Moore is the top rated and came fourth on his chasing debut at Newbury in what was a better race than this. He was very keen that day and made enough mistakes over the fences to put paid to any chance he may have had. That was however his first run for over two and a half years and it can be safely assumed that would have done him the world of good and better can be expected this afternoon. If Joshua Moore can settle him down early on this should help his jumping and he can definitely get involved.
L'Unique for Alan King has had three chases so far and again they were all in higher grade races. On his penultimate start he was six lengths clear of Ubak but a tendency to jump slowly cost him any chance of the race. Last time out he was tried over three miles but to no avail and I think there is a good chance he will find at least one too good for him here today.
Buckhorn Timothy won on his chasing debut in a four runner race at Fontwell where he was an odds on shot. Since then he has finished second at and fell at Kempton last time out. He races off the same here today and has a chance if things go his way.
Ballybolley for Nigel Twiston-Davies has been pretty well beaten on his three chases to date but he does get weight all round and if he can step it up a little bit today then it isn't beyond the realms that he could figure at the business end of proceedings.
Three Faces West for Philip Hobbs is ridden by champion jockey elect Richard Johnson and races over fences for the first time under rules today (he has gone over fences in a point to point). He was a useful hurdler and shaped as if he would take to fences quite nicely. He looks to have been put in here on a lenient mark and I think Hobbs, who is having a wonderful season, has found an ideal opportunity to get his chasing career off to a winning start.
Today's Selections
Huntingdon 15:20 - Three Faces West - 3 points @ 2/1 (Boylesports)