bet365 Frodon Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:29 | Winning time: 5m 12.5s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Drumbear^h,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Harvey⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 138| CD

5/4

Dual hurdles winner last season, including here, and looks set to prove at least as good in this sphere judged on his chase debut success at Limerick (17.7f, heavy). This Irish raider is a big player with improvement on the cards.

Form: 3/131-21

Bear Ghylls⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 138| D

13/2

Had a fine season as a novice hurdler in 2020/21, winning his first 3 starts. Shaped better than the bare result after 20 months off when third on chase debut at Carlisle and, with his subsequent Uttoxeter effort best overlooked (race came too soon), he remains with potential in this sphere.

Form: 1114/37

Notlongtillmay^h³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: L Morgan| OR: 134| CD

11/4

Hurdles winner for Chris Gordon last term and immediate improvement switched to fences for new yard this season, making it 2-2 in this sphere with a dominant display over C&D last month. Up 10 lb but that may not stop him given that he probably has more to offer.

Form: 2341-11

Halo Des Obeaux³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

9/2

Things didn't go to plan for this French recruit last season but he got his career back on track when landing a Sandown handicap hurdle in November. Good effort at second attempt over fences when runner-up at Newbury (22.4f, soft) last time and likely to play a part in the finish.

Form: FF7-142

Half Shot³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: I Jardine| OR: 118| CD

16/1

Opened chase account back from a break at Sedgefield in October before following over hurdles here the following month. By no means disgraced when third returned to this sphere (again at this course) last time but he lacks the potential of some of these rivals.

Form: 31-4113

Diamond State^p1,t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: P W Wadge⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 112| CD

50/1

Looked rather fortuitous (left clear at the last) when getting off the mark over fences in a 4-runner handicap over 2m here in December. However, put in his place behind Notlongtillmay over C&D next time and he's 7 lb 'wrong' at the weights.

Form: F4-2314

Forecasts

Drumbear (5/4), Notlongtillmay (11/4), Halo Des Obeaux (9/2), Bear Ghylls (13/2), Half Shot (16/1), Diamond State (50/1)

NOTLONGTILLMAY proved that this trip is well within his range when scoring in good style over C&D last month and, with the promise of better to come from this 7-y-o, he is taken to make it 3-3 over fences. He certainly won't have things all his own way, with Drumbear feared greatly on the back of his chase debut success at Limerick, while both Halo des Obeaux and Bear Ghylls are probably capable of better than they have so far shown in this sphere.