Virgin Bet Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 4.97s

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Selected odds by:

Gladiateur Allen^h⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 134| CD

13/2

Fairly useful hurdler who showed improved form to make a winning chase debut in C&D novice in December. Jumping has let him down in Graded races since but may find life easier in these calmer waters.

Form: 3814FU

Midnight River⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| D

9/4

Useful novice hurdler who scored on his second run over fences in 4-runner handicap chase at Wetherby (19.5f, heavy) over Christmas. Has the potential to build on that.

Form: 41F-F71

Coconut Splash⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 135| BF

11/2

Maiden hurdle winner who has shown useful form in defeat over fences. Not at very best when third of 4 in 21.5f Haydock novice latest but won't be far away with repeat of C&D reappearance third.

Form: 1/322-33

Cracking Smart^p,t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 126

100/1

Temperamental sort who was well below par when a remote last of 4 back chasing at Hereford last month. Others are preferred.

Form: 0-0P6P4

Gustavian^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 137| BF| C

9/4

Dual hurdles winner. Has achieved better form in defeat over fences, mistakes probably costing him victory on couple of occasions, including his latest 3m course second. Needs to eliminate the errors.

Form: 13-3U22

The Widdow Maker^h,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 133

9/2

Looked better than ever on back of a wind op when successful on return at Wincanton (2m) in December. Not disgraced in defeat twice since. Goes up slightly in trip for this chase debut.

Form: 110-156

Upton Road⁷³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore

33/1

Won sole start in Irish points but fell 4 out on Warwick hurdling debut in February 2020 and not seen since. Can only be watched on this belated return.

Form: 1F/

Forecasts

Gustavian (9/4), Midnight River (9/4), The Widdow Maker (9/2), Coconut Splash (11/2), Gladiateur Allen (13/2), Upton Road (33/1), Cracking Smart (100/1)

MIDNIGHT RIVER has the potential to build on his Wetherby win over Christmas so he might be up to giving weight to Gustavian, who has been held back by a frustrating tendency to make the odd bad mistake, and Coconut Splash, who is talented but wasn't at his best at Haydock last time.