'This was a hot novice chase' - our experts pick out last week's eyecatchers

Richard Young and Marcus Buckland pick out four horses who caught their eye last week.

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Stop Talking
Second, Ayr, Monday

A four-time winner over hurdles up to 2m4f, it was really pleasing to see Jennie Candlish’s Stop Talking run so well on her belated return to action on her chasing debut.

Not seen for 412 days, she jumped and travelled well under restraint and emerged as the only danger to the heavily backed Empire Steel from three out, keeping on strongly from the last to pull 13 lengths clear of the third.

Judged to have run to an RPR of 119, the joint highest rating she’s achieved, this was a big effort after such an absence, suggesting she’ll be more than up to exploiting her official mark of 112 in the coming weeks. [Marcus Buckland]

Members can click here to watch this eyecatching run

Black Kalanisi
Third, Stratford, Thursday

It was a hot novice chase that Black Kalanisi contested at the Midlands venue last week and it’ll very likely prove reliable form.

Successful on the Flat, in a bumper and over hurdles already in his 19-race career, he’s been big prices in two starts over fences so far, but was still in contention when unseating at Uttoxeter at the start of last month.

He showed that run was no fluke when staying on for third behind the smart Happygolucky last week, almost running down the 137-rated Paint The Dreams for second on the run-in.

He looks ahead of his handicap mark of 127 on that evidence and should be able to cash in on a more galloping track. [Marcus Buckland]

Members can click here to watch this above-average novices' chase

Sea Empress
Won, Newcastle, Friday

Superstar mare Enable kicked off her career by winning a fillies' maiden over 1m at Newcastle and Sea Empress looks destined for big things judged on her debut victory in the same grade over the same course and distance last week.

William Haggas: trains Sea Empress, who is open to plenty of improvementCredit: Edward Whitaker

William Haggas's well-bred daughter of Sea The Stars travelled strongly and responded well to her rider's urgings to beat fellow newcomer and promising type Teona, with a large gap back to rest of the field.

She is in good hands and open to plenty of improvement. Her pedigree suggests she'll have no problems with middle distances next year and she's sure to make her mark in Pattern company at some point. [Richard Young]

Members can watch the replay here

Castle Rushen
Won, Ayr, Saturday

Coming down to the final obstacle at wind-swept Ayr on Saturday it looked touch and go whether Castle Rushen would be able to make a winning hurdle debut.

However, his superior stamina kicked in on the run-in and he ground down Five Bar Brian to supplement his bumper victory (also in heavy ground) at the same venue.

Given he's essentially a prospective 3m chaser, this half-brother to the yard's unbeaten Marown deserves plenty of credit over this inadequate trip in this steadily run race.

He'll be much better suited by the step up to 2m4f and he's sure to win again in this sphere, especially as his jumping was a touch novicey. He's an exciting prospect. [Richard Young]

Members can watch the replay here

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