Arkells Brewery Nicholson Holman Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 40.47s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Mint Condition^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: J Candlish| OR: 135

9/5

Three-time hurdle winner and Haydock win in December shows he's equally as good over fences. Creditable fifth in first-time cheekpieces in Kim Muir at Cheltenham and he's on the shortlist with headgear retained.

Form: 8214P5

Beatthebullet^b²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 126

6/1

Dual point/25f hurdles winner who jumped better than 2 rivals to make a winning chase debut in November. Hasn't been at that level since, although he was out of his depth in National Hunt Chase latest and this is more realistic.

Form: P2-15P4

The Bull Mccabe^p,t¹⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 125

17/2

Winning Irish pointer who scored twice over hurdles last term. Placed first 3 starts this season (first 2 fences) but his attitude has looked suspect and he ran poorly in a Wetherby handicap hurdle last time.

Form: 21-3228

Brother Pat²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 121

9/1

Has notched 5 wins (all under Theo Gillard) this season, although his latest was a hollow one given that it came in a match race where is sole rival fell. Consistent and likely to give his running again.

Form: 11F3F1

Big Nasty^p¹⁰²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 120

13/8

Belatedly shed maiden tag when making all in 3m Southwell handicap chase last spring. Creditable efforts on 3 of his 4 starts since, the latest when fourth here on New Year's Day.

Form: 6-122P4

Non-Runners

Champagnesuperover³⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: O Murphy J: Adrian Heskin

Forecasts

Big Nasty (13/8), Mint Condition (9/5), Champagnesuperover (3/1), Beatthebullet (6/1), The Bull Mccabe (17/2), Brother Pat (9/1)

CHAMPAGNESUPEROVER ran poorly in his sole previous handicap but his mark is fair based on the pick of his novice form and he's well worth another chance. Mint Condition ran well in the Kim Muir at the Festival and can give Olly Murphy's charge most to do.