Porto Racing Saddlery Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 5m 21.8s

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Selected odds by:

Work In Progress^t⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| BF| D

5/1

Used a winning comeback run and a return to form over hurdles as a springboard for three chase wins in a row; made the most of some good opportunities. Faded away quickly on his handicap chase debut last time (went off hard) and may find it tough to give weight away here.

Form: 15111U

Popelys Gull³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 125

25/1

Scored a surprise win on his chasing debut (had plenty to find on form) when winning a Wetherby recently. The manner of his win was sound enough though (third won next time) and being only five improvement can't be ruled out here on his second chase start.

Form: 4222-P1

Fountains Windfall¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball

13/8

Improved throughout all of last season over hurdles completing a hat-trick with a win at Aintree off 137 in a big-field handicap over 3m. Given a tough task on his return in a Wetherby Grade 2 over hurdles and that should have put him right for his chasing debut; interesting prospect.

Form: 73111-5

Stowaway Magic²⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

11/8

Very useful as a novice over hurdles last year winning on three occasions ending the season with two very sound handicap efforts (winner off 130). Has won a point-to-point so no surprise this powerful yard take him chasing; travels strongly in his races.

Form: 121512-

Forth Bridge^t1⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon

16/1

Useful sort on the Flat when with Michael Bell he took well to hurdles last year appearing to be well suited to good ground and a sharp 2m. Rather strange to see him sent over fences given his pedigree and found out in the jumping department on his debut.

Form: 2115-4

Forecasts

Stowaway Magic (11/8), Fountains Windfall (13/8), Work In Progress (5/1), Forth Bridge (16/1), Popelys Gull (25/1)

A really good contest for the track and one full of interest with the two that made an impact last year in good handicap hurdles making the most appeal. FOUNTAINS WINDFALL just gets the nod over Stowaway Magic as he’s already had a race and his stable are in fine form at the moment although the Henderson horse has plenty to recommend him also. Work In Progress needs to bounce back from a poor run last time while Forth Bridge needs to jump better and Popelys Gull has to find some more improvement.