Ben Oliver Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 26.4s

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Selected odds by:

Investment Manager^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 120| CD

1/1

Opened chase account at Exeter (19.2f, heavy) in April and added to that when seeing off 7 rivals over 25.8f here (good) in July. Took his record of 3 wins from his last 6 starts when following up over C&D just under 3 weeks ago and every chance he can bring up the hat-trick.

Form: 1-52311

Opening Bid⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down| OR: 116| BF| C

9/2

With the usual headgear left off, opened his account over fences at Worcester in May and hasn't looked back since, also scoring at this track before forging clear to complete the hat-trick at Stratford in July. Proved to be a disappointment bidding for a 4-timer last time but he can bounce back.

Form: 32-1115

Astroman⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: James Best| T: S Hosie| OR: 101

8/1

Belatedly off the mark (fortunate winner) in 8-runner maiden hurdle at Stratford in May and followed up under a penalty back in a handicap a week later at Fontwell. Creditable third at latter course when last seen 3 months ago and now attentions are turned to the larger obstacles.

Form: 2-61134

Frankie Faulkner¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 98| C

5/2

Dual winner in points who confirmed the promise of his hurdles debut when landing 11-runner maiden at this track in July. Could only match rather than improve on his hurdles form on chasing/handicap debut at Fontwell and it remains early days for this point winner.

Form: 331-313

Non-Runners

Shot Tower⁹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: Joe Ponting J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Investment Manager (1/1), Frankie Faulkner (5/2), Opening Bid (9/2), Astroman (8/1), Shot Tower (14/1)

Although INVESTMENT MANAGER has had consistency issues in the past, Joe Tizzard's 7-y-o has won 3 of his last 6 starts and this represents a good opportunity to enhance that record further and bring up a quick-fire course hat-trick. He can get the better of Opening Bid, who rattled off a hat-trick this summer and can put a lesser effort behind him. Frankie Faulkner can fill out third spot.