Porsche Centre Nottingham Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 2.3s

Azzuri^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| CD

5/6

In good form over hurdles before winning on chase debut over C&D last month. The useful Peace And Co broke a blood vessel when just about to challenge, so dangerous to get carried away with the result. But done little wrong, so highly respected.

Form: 122-121

Cliffside Park²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 122| D

13/8

Won a seller over hurdles latest and respected on that effort. Chase form poor up to press, however, and has a fair bit to prove here.

Form: P9-7841

Don't Be Fooled¹⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: James Davies| T: D Shaw

25/1

Won on debut in a point-to-point over 3m but seemed to lose his way afterwards. Debuts for a new yard and probably best watched first time under rules.

Form: 22/P46P-

Stealing Mix^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 109

17/2

Posted a solid round of jumping on chasing debut at Stratford last month - no chance with the winner but ran on well enough to suggest he can hold his own in a race like this. Can give Azzuri a run for the money.

Form: 5621-82

Valshan Time²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: Mrs L J Young

150/1

Not much progress made in four starts over fences so far and huge improvement required for him to take the lions share of the spoils on this occasion.

Form: P3-34U4

Hazamar^t⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 110| D

16/1

Regressive over hurdles of late and hard to see him being transformed by the switch to fences. Risky option this time around.

Form: 451P-66

Forecasts

Azzuri (5/6), Cliffside Park (13/8), Stealing Mix (17/2), Hazamar (16/1), Don't Be Fooled (25/1), Valshan Time (150/1)

This appears to be a good opportunity for AZZURI to expand on his run of good form and, given that his yard won this race last year, he seems to be following a tried and trusted route. Stealing Mix is an obvious danger and is capable of giving the selection plenty to think about, while Cliffside Park makes the most appeal from the rest.