Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:33 | Winning time: 5m 36.06s

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Okavango Delta^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: Paul Robson| OR: 100| BF| CD

11/4

Hurdles winner who has made a positive start for this yard, off the mark at the third attempt in 8-runner handicap chase over C&D in November. Ran at least as well upped in trip when runner-up here (23.6f, good to soft) last month and looks sure to be in the mix again.

Form: P64612

Shadows In The Sky^t,v³²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 100| BF| D

7/1

Point winner who has scored twice over 2½m at Hexham this season, the latter success coming with a visor added in October. Found it harder to dominate in a higher grade at Newcastle (20.1f, good) since, but fancied to get back on track reunited with his regular pilot.

Form: 155415

Benefit Ben^p1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: A Nicol| OR: 95

28/1

Maiden Irish pointer who showed ability in maiden/novice hurdles last winter but well held on his Ayr handicap debut in April (final start for Sandy Thomson). Ran poorly on return here (15.6f, good to soft) just under 5 weeks ago and now attentions are switched to the larger obstacles.

Form: 28268-9

Valleyview Tommy^t1,v1³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 88

9/4

Placed in a couple of maiden hurdles last season and left chasing debut effort behind when fourth of 7 in handicap at this course (15.8f, good to soft) just under 5 weeks ago. Fancied to do better now back over further with a new headgear combination tried (visor/tongue tie).

Form: 25P-0P4

Winds Of Winter²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: I Jardine| OR: 88

11/2

Has finished runner-up on 3 of her 4 starts for Iain Jardine, latest in 5-runner handicap at this course (15.6f, good to soft) just over 3 weeks ago. Back up in trip for her chase debut and rates as a player if taking to this new discipline.

Form: 662322

Divas Doyen^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 85| D

6/1

Finally got off the mark at Carlisle in November, seen to good effect in having her cards played later than the placed pair and having the benefit of the rail late on. Ran at least as well in defeat when second to Okavango Delta over C&D (good to soft) last time so should be involved.

Form: P-24812

Prospect House^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Niven| OR: 77

9/1

Off the mark in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in September 2023 but rather miss than hit since. However, he hinted at a revival when third of 9 in handicap chase at Catterick (15.7f, good) just over a fortnight ago so is one to bear in mind with this step back up in trip sure to suit.

Form: P1-5753

Forecasts

Valleyview Tommy (9/4), Okavango Delta (11/4), Winds Of Winter (11/2), Divas Doyen (6/1), Shadows In The Sky (7/1), Prospect House (9/1), Benefit Ben (28/1)

Cases can be made for most, but the vote goes to OKAVANGO DELTA, who won over C&D in November and ran at least as well in defeat from a 6 lb higher mark when finding just one too strong back over further here last month. Winds of Winter has finished runner-up on 3 of her 4 starts since joining Iain Jardine, so she heads up the opposition on chase debut, with Divas Doyen taken to edge out Shadows In The Sky for third.