Grant Thornton EBF Stallions Novices' Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 18.8s

Flying Eagle^b⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 120| BF| CD

6/4

Prolific winner in point-to-points last season and successful over 2m5f on soft ground here last month. Pulled up in a handicap chase at Perth subsequently but hails from an in form yard here (4/12).

Form: 11141P

Anteros^t¹⁸²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 118

11/8

Surprise winner of a Listed handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (soft) over an extended 3m1f last November but well held in competitive handicaps since. Had five runs over fences in 2016 and likely to run well in this.

Form: 715P58-

Black Jack Rover³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 112| D

5/1

Point-to-pint and hurdles winner but well held behind Flying Eagle on his first run in over two years and on chasing debut here last month. Probably best watched at present.

Form: 22122/8

Smart Ruler³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: James Moffatt| OR: 110| C

15/2

Handicap hurdle victor at Musselburgh (good) over an extended 2m3f in November and ran well on chase debut here in June. Well beaten behind Flying Eagle subsequently and work to do if he's to reverse that form.

Form: 616-433

Sussex Road^p⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: A Sadik| OR: 52

100/1

25 race maiden and placed just four times in 17 chases. Rated just 52 over fences and likely to struggle on these terms.

Form: 5-3P357

The Society Man⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: T J Phelan| T: M C Chapman| OR: 58

66/1

Sole success came in a selling handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in December 2012. Placed in handicap chases here in the past but likely to struggle in this company.

Form: 8P5444

Forecasts

Anteros (11/8), Flying Eagle (6/4), Black Jack Rover (5/1), Smart Ruler (15/2), The Society Man (66/1), Sussex Road (100/1)

ANTEROS can make a winning return to chasing by claiming this novice contest. The selection failed to impress on previous starts over fences but has run some decent races over hurdles since then and should appreciate the forecast underfoot conditions. Chief rival Flying Eagle who disappointed in a handicap contest last time out has to give weight away to all of his rivals today and can finish second while. Smart Ruler has run well enough here the last twice to suggest that he can claim third today.