My Timeform: Three national hunt horses to note

Range

Fell, 2m3f handicap chase, Chepstow, Tuesday 29 October

A well-contested event that changed complexion when the heavily-backed favourite, Range, exited early in the straight. He had some fairly useful form over hurdles last season, but he is bred for chasing, and attracted plenty of support (13/2 into 5/2) on his chase/handicap debut and was in the process of shaping very well. Range jumped well up to his exit, where he got over the fence five out perfectly well, but knuckled on landing and couldn't recover. He was travelling best at the time of his departure and is sure to win races over fences, more than likely to prove himself well handicapped next time.

Supreme Malinas (Timeform rating b86)

Runner-up, 2m bumper, Newton Abbot, Wednesday 30 October

Supreme Malinas, an easy winner on her second start in an Irish point, made an encouraging introduction under Rules at Newton Abbot when missing out only narrowly in a bumper. Supreme Malinas was held up but made good progress entering the straight. She looked green when asked for her effort, wandering slightly under pressure, and she was also short of room between rivals inside the final furlong, but she stuck to her task well and was only just denied. She's in top hands with Dan Skelton and should be up to winning a similar event, especially as she's entitled to benefit from this experience.

Traprain Law (c141p)

Third, 2m4f handicap chase, Carlisle, Sunday 3 November

The absence of Grey Dawning left a more open renewal of the Colin Parker, but with it a substandard edition in which fitness and to a lesser extent tactics influenced the outcome, with the race-fit Marble Sands playing his hand last after stalking a placed pair who'd begun to engage from the ninth. Traprain Law didn't appear to get home over the longest trip he's encountered on his return from seven months off, though a rare jumping lapse at the second-last was probably as much of a factor as either his lack of fitness or stamina. He shaped well regardless, leaving the impression he's on a good mark, and with this under his belt, he's sure to be of interest in handicaps in the coming weeks, particularly back at two miles.