Sky Sports Racing Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 4m 44.75s

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Selected odds by:

Angels Breath²³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 146| BF| C

5/4

Won the Supreme Trial (Grade 2) here over hurdles but failed to build on that in three subsequent starts. The form of his third in the Mersey (sent off fav) last time has been boosted; mixed signals whether he will take to this discipline though.

Form: 1/1273-

Birchdale²⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 146

13/8

Couldn't have been more impressive when bolting up on Trials Day at Cheltenham in January but pulled up when failing to find anything for pressure in the Albert Bartlett when last seen. Markedly down in trip for his debut in this discipline.

Form: 1/11P-

First Flow²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 140

4/1

Won his first three starts over hurdles but made mistakes prior to being pulled up at the Festival in 2018. Only seen once last season but made a promising start to life over fences when runner-up to a smart sort at Uttoxeter earlier this month.

Form: 111P/5-2

The Mighty Don⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR: 144

14/1

Unseated on sole start over fences on seasonal reappearance last year and has made jumping errors in two starts over fences this campaign at Exeter, though not beaten far last time out; will need more against these rivals.

Form: 3408-33

Forecasts

Angels Breath (5/4), Birchdale (13/8), First Flow (4/1), The Mighty Don (14/1)

The Nicky Henderson pair may have this between them and it's BIRCHDALE who may be better suited to life over fences. The gelding looked unsuited by his test at the Festival when last seen but he may have more to give in this sphere. Stablemate Angels Breath is probably the main danger after a promising run in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle when last seen. First Flow can get the better of The Mighty Don for third.