Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 3m 54.3s

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Selected odds by:

Bourbali³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 129| C

5/1

Fairly useful hurdles winner who, having had his chasing debut curtailed with a slipped saddle at Exeter, produced an accurate round of jumping en route to running out a ready winner over sole-rival First Street at this track (18f, soft, 9/2) last month. Open to further improvement.

Form: 4242-P1

Master Chewy²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140| BF| D

13/8

Much improved since switching to chasing, scoring on debut at Aintree (15.8f) before good second in handicap over same C&D last month. Up 6 lb for that narrow miss and didn't really lose anything in defeat when conceding first run to Elixir de Nutz at Newbury earlier this month. Even more to come.

Form: 688-122

Nickle Back^h²⁶

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

6/5

Has looked a real natural since sent chasing, winning handicaps at Warwick and Stratford (both at around 2½m on good/heavy) with minimum fuss in recent months. Ran a cracker upped in grade when runner-up to Hermes Allen at Newbury earlier this month and no surprise should he go one better.

Form: 562-112

Soul Icon^h,t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Kimber| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 129| D

14/1

Real success story in handicap hurdles, adding another victory to his tally on return at Fontwell (19.2f) in October. Back in a hood for his chasing debut and probably would have won but for departing late on at Wincanton (15.7f) just under 5 weeks ago but this represents a steep rise in class.

Form: 1P7-14U

Forecasts

Nickle Back (6/5), Master Chewy (13/8), Bourbali (5/1), Soul Icon (14/1)

A potential match between NICKLE BACK and Master Chewy, with marginal preference for the former who has looked a real natural since sent chasing and Sarah Humphrey's 7-y-o can make it 3-4 in this sphere. It's tough to ascertain what Bourbali has achieved over fences so far, but with improvement on the cards, he could well profit should the main protagonists fluff their lines.