Pertemps Network Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 4m 15.67s

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Selected odds by:

Kansas City Star⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 120

16/5

Point winner who was placed on 5 of 6 completed starts over hurdles (runner-up 4 times). The addition of first-time cheekpieces failed to do the trick when well held on handicap debut at Cheltenham in October and he's joined a rookie trainer going places ahead of this chase debut.

Form: PP2-220

Aggagio¹⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 117| D

4/1

Likeable dual-purpose performer who was in good form on the level during the summer, good third at Goodwood (2m) in September. Not an obvious one on pedigree for chasing but certainly not dismissed for good yard.

Form: 4/61531-

Lime Drop⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 109| D

10/1

Five-time hurdles winner during 2021/22 campaign and matched chase debut form when runner-up at Ludlow (2m) in November, albeit not jumping with conviction. Not out of things.

Form: 8290-22

Immortal³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 109| BF

6/4

Chased home fairly useful types in 2m Sandown novice hurdles last season and again shaped encouragingly when third on handicap debut/reappearance at Ascot in November. Well backed but proved to be a disappointment back there 6 weeks later and now heads over the larger obstacles.

Form: 22-38

Non Stop³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 111| BF| D

6/1

Fair Flat/hurdles winner who showed benefit of his chase debut effort when second of 8 in novice handicap at Taunton (18f) in November, pulling clear with a next-time-out winner. Underperformed back down in trip at Wincanton since though, so a bounce back is required.

Form: 174-523

At A Pinch⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: T Lawes| OR: 107| CD

40/1

Resumed winning ways in 2m Southwell handicap hurdle last February. Not in the same form the following month and didn't get very far on first outing since leaving Harry Eustace after 10 months off at Doncaster last month. Worthy of a market check now chasing.

Form: 16/416-U

Non-Runners

Limetree Boy¹⁵

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: J & A O'Neill J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Immortal (6/4), Kansas City Star (16/5), Aggagio (4/1), Non Stop (6/1), Limetree Boy (7/1), Lime Drop (10/1), At A Pinch (40/1)

A tricky opener to solve but the vote goes to chasing-debutant KANSAS CITY STAR, who is yet to get his head in front under Rules but has been placed on 5 of his 6 completed starts over hurdles and has joined a trainer going places. Non Stop is put forward as the main danger provided he's able to put a lesser effort at Wincanton behind him, with Lime Drop and Aggagio also worthy of consideration.