Coral John Francome Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (Formerly Known As The Berkshire) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 58.41s

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Selected odds by:

Colonel Mustard^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: L Fowler| OR: 143

18/1

Winner of just one of his 12 hurdles starts but his record in that sphere is very solid, with several placed efforts in graded company. Matched previous chase form when runner-up in a Down Royal maiden (19.6f, soft) 3 weeks ago and this Irish raider remains capable of better over fences.

Form: 42223-2

Hermes Allen^t²³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| BF| CWS

13/8

Successful first 3 starts over hurdles last term, including a most impressive display in the Challow Hurdle here on New Year's Eve. Came up short at the big festivals during the spring but since undergone a wind op and this former point winner is armed with obvious potential now switched to fences.

Form: 1/11163-

Marble Sands²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 143| D

4/1

Developed into a useful hurdler for Fergal O'Brien last season, winning 3 times and didn't disgrace himself in Grade 1s at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals. Perfect start over fences for new yard when landing an 8-runner Ayr (16.5f, good) handicap on return and he's open to improvement.

Form: 15156-1

Nickle Back^h²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 147| D

10/3

Hurdles form was inferior to most of these but he has looked a real natural since sent chasing, winning handicaps at Warwick and Stratford (both at around 2½m on good/heavy) with minimum fuss. This is a steep rise in class but he may well prove equal to the task.

Form: 7562-11

No Ordinary Joe²³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143| BF| D

8/1

Made a winning reappearance at Kempton (2m, soft) last December prior to acquitting himself well in a trio of strong handicap hurdles, not least when runner-up in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham in March. Likely to make his mark over fences but this is a tough starting point.

Form: 3P/1927-

Tightenourbelts²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 136| D

13/2

Chased home Paul Nicholls-trained novices at Taunton and Market Rasen before opening his account in a Ludlow maiden hurdle in March. Looks destined for bigger and better things in this sphere judged on chase debut success back at Ludlow (2½m, soft) last month.

Form: 3/4221-1

Forecasts

Hermes Allen (13/8), Nickle Back (10/3), Marble Sands (4/1), Tightenourbelts (13/2), No Ordinary Joe (8/1), Colonel Mustard (18/1)

It would be unwise to underestimate MARBLE SANDS, who was some way behind Hermes Allen in the Challow Hurdle here last season but he already looks a better chaser judged on his decisive winning debut in this sphere at Ayr. Hermes Allen was mightily impressive in the Challow and will be a serious threat if he takes to fences at the first attempt, while Nickle Back, like Marble Sands, has already surpassed his hurdles form since switched to fences and he is greatly respected.