Caspian Group Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:22 | Winning time: 4m 26.05s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Galunggung³³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122

7/2

Progressive, dual winner over hurdles who made perfect start in this sphere when winning 4-runner handicap at Perth (2m, good to soft) in May. Looked in need of the run when checking out rather tamely back from a 6-month break at Haydock and it'd be no surprise were he to get back on track.

Form: 12/11-16

Denemethy^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116

9/4

Irish point winner who made it third time lucky under Rules when landing a Wincanton maiden hurdle in March. Given a considerate introduction to chasing after 8 months off at Exeter (17.5f, heavy) earlier this month and he's open to improvement in this sphere.

Form: 1/2716-4

Damarta^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: K Brogan| T: O Murphy| OR: 112

11/4

Comfortable winner over hurdles at Southwell in January and backed it up with solid performances next 2 starts. Failed to build on encouraging reappearance/chase debut when only fourth at Warwick a fortnight ago but he's capable of better and worth another chance.

Form: 3132-44

Kuzco^t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Alice Stevens⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 102

5/2

Ran to a fair level in bumpers in France for Emmanuel Clayeux and has shown ability without troubling the judge in a handful of appearances over hurdles. Interesting to see what the market makes of him ahead of this chase debut getting plenty of weight.

Form: 5246-54

Forecasts

Denemethy (9/4), Kuzco (5/2), Damarta (11/4), Galunggung (7/2)

DAMARTA shaped well on his chasing debut and, although his jumping lacked fluency again when failing to build on it at Warwick, there was plenty of pressure applied and this looks a more suitable scenario. He's narrowly preferred to Galunggung, while a case can be made for the remaining duo.