Coral Racing Club Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (For The Fulke Walwyn Trophy) (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 4m 7.03s

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Selected odds by:

Djelo²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 135| D

15/8

Fairly useful over hurdles and advanced his form significantly when rallying gamely to deny another smart prospect on chase debut at Aintree (15.8f, heavy, 7/2) 20 days ago. That was a hard race but he's open to further progress and sets a high standard.

Form: 12308-1

Lallygag³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| D

9/2

Brother to very smart chaser Lalor proved a useful novice hurdler last season, winning on 3 occasions. Shaped as if needing the run when mid-field at Cheltenham on his return in October and goes chasing from workable-looking mark.

Form: 12133-8

Persian Time²²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 129| D

10/3

Irish point runner-up was the beneficiary of some good fortune when making a winning start under Rules at Ascot last time. Followed that with good second-placed efforts either side of a stiff task in the Ballymore and he's a player sent chasing for his first handicap start.

Form: 2/12P2-

Russian Ruler^t²²¹

9/2

Clearly not been the easiest to train but got back on track towards the end of last season, winning a Newbury handicap before following up with something in hand in an 8-runner novice at Kempton (16f, heavy). Up 7 lb but he can't be discounted on chase debut.

Form: 5/3PF11-

Richhill^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 118

11/1

Irish point winner landed short odds on second start over hurdles at Southwell in January. Matched that level both outings subsequently and seemed to take well enough to chasing until tiring when fifth of 11 in a Kempton handicap (20.5f, good to soft) 18 days ago. Should improve.

Form: 13124-5

Hecouldbetheone²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 118

18/1

Dual winner as a novice hurdler for Gary Moore in 2021/22 and after missing last season, proved he retains most of his ability when fifth of 7 in handicap hurdle (18/1) at Plumpton (15.9f, good to soft) 25 days ago. May find this trip on sharp side sent chasing.

Form: 21622/5

Forecasts

Djelo (15/8), Persian Time (10/3), Russian Ruler (9/2), Lallygag (9/2), Richhill (11/1), Hecouldbetheone (18/1)

A novice event featuring several interesting chase debutants, though DJELO may prove too stern a rival for any of the newcomers, with the Venetia Williams-trained gelding having looked some way ahead of his mark when scoring at Aintree last month. Lallygag hasn't had much racing in handicap company and can step forward with race fitness now under his belt, whilst Irish point runner-up Persian Time also merits respect after an encouraging hurdling campaign.