Visit attheraces.com Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 5m 14.8s

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Selected odds by:

Bagheera Ginge³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 117| C

9/1

5-y-o who proved steadily progressive over hurdles last term, scoring at Stratford (18.6f) in August prior to readily defying a penalty at this course (21.5f) a month later. Shaped as if amiss sent chasing at Kempton just over 5 weeks ago so a big leap of faith is required.

Form:

Balko Saint^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 116

7/1

Dual winner over hurdles and unlucky to bump into a handicap blot when claiming a third successive runner-up finish over fences at Worcester (20f, good) 12 days ago, off the bridle some way out. Looks the most obvious threat to Chief Black Robe.

Form:

Umndeni^b1¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 110| C

14/1

Won over hurdles at this venue in August 2021 but yet to match that form in this sphere, finishing a well-beaten third at Worcester (20f, good) 12 days ago. Mark drops a further 5 lb and blinkers replace the usual cheekpieces worn.

Form:

Chief Black Robe⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 100| CD

2/7

Much improved when opening his account over fences for new yard at Market Rasen (23.8f) last month and made very light work of following up under a penalty at this C&D (good) 7 days ago. Outstanding claims of a quickfire hat-trick.

Form:

Forecasts

Chief Black Robe (2/7), Balko Saint (7/1), Bagheera Ginge (9/1), Umndeni (14/1)

CHIEF BLACK ROBE is clearly a different proposition for current connections, so Fergal O'Brien's 7-y-o is strongly fancied to bring up a quickfire hat-trick under a penalty and remain unbeaten over the larger obstacles. Balko Saint rates the obvious danger and he could be set for a fourth successive runner-up finish over fences.