Winteringham Fields 'Menu Surprise' Novices' Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 17.7s

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Selected odds by:

Highway One O One²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 142| D

5/6

Front-running type who matched his useful hurdling form (three-time winner) when making his debut over fences last month. Finds plenty for pressure and his jumping improved through his last race with the experience likely to prove invaluable.

Form: 21012-1

Dr Des²⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 139

9/2

Three-time hurdle winner who looks a tough and genuine type who may well make up into a better chaser. Comes out the best of these at the weights on their hurdles and getting weight will make life tough for Highway One O One.

Form: 122171-

Dynamite Dollars²⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

7/4

Another in this field who showed useful form over hurdles (won his first two starts in that sphere) although he did fail to live up to his early promise to a certain extent. Should make a chaser but might just have to settle for a minor place here.

Form: 113554-

Early Boy^e/s⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Joe Colliver| T: A Crook| OR: 67

100/1

The third runner in this who makes his chasing debut but miles away from the form over hurdles that the other three have shown. Would need mishaps to avoid being beaten a long way here.

Form: 6/P87-76

Forecasts

Highway One O One (5/6), Dynamite Dollars (7/4), Dr Des (9/2), Early Boy (100/1)

The conundrum here is will chasing experience triumph over the fact that HIGHWAY ONE O ONE has to give 6lb away to all his rivals. His debut over the larger obstacles when beating Cheltenham Festival winner Flying Tiger certainly entitles him to do so and his front running style may just put the others under pressure on their fencing debuts. Dr Des is taken to edge out Dynamite Dollars for the runner-up slot his hurdles form matching that of the selection but he might just need this outing while the latter of that duo has a little to prove on his most recent form.