A minimalist field for this novices' chase where Blue Splash should have too much in the locker for both Ballyfoy and Sweet Thyne. The selection finished a decent fourth in Wetherby's Towton Chase last time out and the winner Heltornic of course franked that form by following up at Haydock in great style last week. This sort of trip looks ideal for Blue Splash and he should have too much class for the other pair. Ballyfoy went well enough for a while on his Wetherby debut but finished a long way behind and should be better suited by this longer trip, but he needs to improve, while stablemate Sweet Thyne will need to jump muich better than on debut to be any sort of threat and clear preference here is for Blue Splash.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) With leader, jumped slowly 3rd, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, well behind Flintoff (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Blue Splash (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, effort 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 4th of 7, 8l behind Heltornic (11-1) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
Swift Thyne (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent, went 2nd 7th, weakening when blundered 4 out, 4th of 9, 26l behind Reach For The Top (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan.
