Devondale Electrical Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 7.5s

Bagad Bihoue²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| BF| CD

15/8

Had racked up 10 wins including four over fences (two over C&D) before his Cartmel blip. Found to have lost a shoe and suffered an overreach that day and the going was also a factor. Has vital experience and will test his sole rival.

Form: 2-11116

Diego Du Charmil^t¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| D

2/5

Was rated 14lb superior to Bagad Bihoue over hurdles and receives 10lb here. Looks the yard's main hope with the stable jockey preferring his chances and the trainer always rating him as a prospective top chaser. Goes well fresh.

Form: 4/19010-

Forecasts

Diego Du Charmil (2/5), Bagad Bihoue (15/8)

Paul Nicholls will maintain his grip on this event but sets punters a poser here with his two nominated runners. Bagad Bihoue was hugely disappointing last time but there were valid excuses. If he gets into a good rhythm on a circuit where he goes well, then he can ask some serious questions of DIEGO DU CHARMIL. The selection was rated vastly superior to him over hurdles and gets a generous weight allowance for his debut over fences. His trainer has always thought of him as a potentially useful chaser and the stable jockey seemingly agrees. With that the case we have little hesitation in making DIEGO DU CHARMIL the selection.