He ran to a Racing Post Rating of 117 in a bumper, so can Noahsgreatrainbow capitalise on his opening mark?

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It is unusual for a horse with a 117 Racing Post Rating in a bumper on their CV to enter handicaps off a mark 3lb lower, but that is where we stand with Noahsgreatrainbow.

The Harry Derham-trained six-year-old was a superb second in a Newbury Listed bumper 22 months ago, when getting within two lengths of Royal Infantry, who is now rated 138 over hurdles.

Following that promising performance, Noahsgreatrainbow was unsurprisingly sent off favourite for both starts in maiden hurdles, but bled from the nose each time and has clearly been fragile. 

The signs have been more positive lately, though, given Noahsgreatrainbow has managed to string two runs together over the past six weeks, with his latest second at Hereford representing a big improvement on his reappearance effort. 

This 2m 4f handicap chase probably revolves around how well this course winner takes to fences as he could be a class apart for a trainer who operates at a 24 per cent strike-rate at Wincanton. 

Gary and Josh Moore are in superb form with a 33 per cent strike-rate over the past fortnight and Diplomatic Ash, who made a nice comeback for the team last month at Fontwell following wind surgery, could step forward for that. 

Brulure Noire was another to run well on his latest outing, but that was in April and Richard Bandey is 0-22 with horses running straight after wind surgery, while nine-year-old course-and-distance winner Sherborne surely has a bit on his plate to defy top weight. 

Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Going news

The going was good to soft, good in places on Monday. Rain was forecast on Monday night (5-10mm), although conditions are set to be dry and mild on Tuesday.

What they say

Joe Tizzard, trainer of Sherborne
He’s a bit exposed but likes the track and goes there with a chance in an open-looking contest.

Harry Derham, trainer of Noahsgreatrainbow
Hopefully the ground stays on the good side of good to soft for his first start over fences. He's schooled well and is slowly returning to his form of a couple of years ago. If he continues to progress he would have a chance at a track he likes.

Gary Moore, joint-trainer of Diplomatic Ash
He ran a solid race last time but I’m a bit concerned about the rain they may get as he wouldn’t want it very soft. If that stays away, there is no reason he can’t run well.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Zestful Hope
He likes going right-handed so should like the track, but I feel the handicapper has his measure at the moment as he put him up a lot for winning at Huntingdon in October.

Richard Bandey, trainer of Brulure Noire
Hopefully they get a bit of rain as he likes it soft. We're looking forward to getting him out for his first run of the season. He had a few niggles in September, which held us up, but he looks to have improved for having a wind op.

Reporting by David Milnes

 By Lewis Porteous

1. A match race to saver

As far as match races go, Wincanton's opener looks a belter, with Jeriko Du Reponet and Regent's Stroll going head-to-head in the 2m4f beginners' chase (12.30). Jeriko Du Reponet was rated 149 over hurdles, while Regent's Stroll earned a rating of 143 when finishing second in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree in April, which gives a good indication of the calibre of horses we are dealing with. However, neither has made a smooth transition to fences so far, with Jeriko Du Reponet pulled-up on his chase debut in November before he was beaten as the even-money favourite at Kempton last time. Regent's Stroll, who has also been declared at Newbury on Wednesday, was far too keen on his first try over fences last month, albeit he wasn't beaten all that far by two smart opponents at the finish.

2. Unbeaten French recruit bids to take next step

Manganese was a winner of a midsummer French bumper and made a successful stable debut for trainer Max Comley when showing plenty of tenacity to beat 1-4 chance Trad Jazz in a juvenile maiden hurdle at Leicester last month. Comely, who featured in The Front Runner last week, is enjoying a fine run of form, celebrating winners at Exeter, Warwick, Lingfield and Southwell already this month. Manganese faces eight rivals in the 1m7½f juvenile hurdle (12.45) at Catterick and her trainer might be able to dream a little bigger if she can maintain her unbeaten record against some interesting opponents, including Keyboard, Bouboule and Arctic Voyage, who, based on Racing Post Ratings, have all achieved more without winning over hurdles than Manganese.

3. Cromwell's maiden Catterick raid

Catterick has caught the attention of Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell, who sends four runners from his base in Ireland to the North Yorkshire track. Cromwell has had 18 runners in Britain so far this jumps season but has never had a runner at Catterick. The names to note are October's Clonmel winner Court Canyon in the 2m3½f novices' hurdle (1.45), maiden Caman Rocco in the 2m3½f mares' handicap hurdle (2.15), last month's Thurles fourth Toon Town in the 1m7½f handicap chase (2.45) and lightly-raced filly Let It Settle in the 1m7½f bumper (3.20). Keith Donoghue rides the first three, with Robbie Dunne on the last named.

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