Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 18.65s

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Selected odds by:

Amore Alato^p1³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: J Farrelly| OR: 137

14/1

Won over half a mile further here in November in what looked a weak event and appears to be a better horse on faster ground than he's likely to encounter today. Jockey has a good record on him with two wins and four placed efforts from seven starts but he'll do well to bolster that record in this field.

Form: 2U249-1

Baron Alco⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 143

7/1

Excellent jumping display when last seen at Plumpton, making all in another small field event. Today's course offers a different kind of test but almost certain to go well if returning in the same form and it's still early days over the larger obstacles so there could be more to come.

Form: 120-312

Le Prezien^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Geraghty| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149

3/1

Consistent type who didn't need to improve to win at Exeter in December. Likely to be of warm order here but there's a suspicion he's better over shorter than this. Interesting jockey booking nonetheless.

Form: 2-21138

Top Notch³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152

11/4

Runner-up in the 2015 Triumph and has made a promising switch to fences, proving a sound jumper. Won all three chase starts since chase debut when he appeared to need the run. Hard to see much of his last win due to the limited visibility but seemed to beat a respectable field with a fair amount of ease. Unlikely to get an easy time of it on the front end but still relatively early days in this sphere and open to progress.

Form: 15-3111

Clan Des Obeaux^t1⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 152

13/8

Seems the type to do better over fences than hurdles and won a Grade 2 novice event in taking fashion two starts back jumping with plenty of enthusiasm. Didn't back them up when beaten by Whisper last time though and the forecast ground may be against him here.

Form: 1/126-41

Forecasts

Clan Des Obeaux (13/8), Top Notch (11/4), Le Prezien (3/1), Baron Alco (7/1), Amore Alato (14/1)

There's often a concern that a small field brings the possibility of a lack of pace but that seems highly unlikely with several front-runners/prominently ridden horses in the line-up. A chance is taken that BARON ALCO's jumping will put them to the sword here with jockey, Jamie Moore a dab-hand on front-runners. He was in fine form at Plumpton when last seen and it's still early days in this sphere so there should be more to come. Top Notch looks like the obvious danger, going in search of a four-timer but he's unlikely to get it all his own way up front and this is his toughest chase test to date. Le Prezien is the one that could benefit if they go too fast up front and the booking of Barry Geraghty catches the eye. 1. Baron Alco 2. Top Notch 3. Le Prezien