Ladbrokes Novices' Chase (Registered As Berkshire Novices' Chase) (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:53 | Winning time: 4m 58.12s

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Selected odds by:

Spiritofthegames⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 148| D

9/2

Top handicapper over hurdles finished third in last year's Betfair here and also fifth in the County at Cheltenham. Overcame a slight error at the last as he won at Chepstow on debut over fences. This tougher under a penalty but respected.

Form: 12357-1

Lostintranslation²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 149| BF| C

13/8

Won once over hurdles but finished season with a fine second to Black Op in an Aintree Grade One. Beaten 1½L by La Bague Au Roi on chase debut here (2m6½f) earlier this month but 2lb better off now and may prefer this shorter trip and softer ground.

Form: 21672-2

Talkischeap²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 141| C

10/1

Unbeaten in three point-to-points and won three times over hurdles last season before pulling up in Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, Behind two of these rivals on chase debut here last month and not sure to appreciate drop back in trip either.

Form: 1141P-3

La Bague Au Roi²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 150| C

5/4

Grade Two Ascot mares hurdle winner last season (by 16L) was on of seven wins (11 starts) over timber. Jumped well on chase debut where she beat both Lostintranslation and Talkischeap here over 2m6½f. Drop in trip and likely softer ground no issue.

Form: 11177-1

Forecasts

La Bague Au Roi (5/4), Lostintranslation (13/8), Spiritofthegames (9/2), Talkischeap (10/1)

Top class mare LA BAGUE AU ROI can confirm placings with Lostintranslation based on their clash here 22 days ago. Both should be as effective over this shorter trip and with a bit more cut in the ground so they are expected to again battle it out with Warren Greatrex's star coming out on top once more. If there is a fly in the ointment it will likely be Spiritofthegames, a smart hurdler in his own right and already a winner over fences.