starsportsbet.co.uk Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 1.3s

Chitu^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: P Griffin| OR: 137| D

5/4

Has proved as adept over fences as over hurdles, having a double penalty to carry for his chase victories at Ayr and Perth (both good to soft). Out of his depth behind Ballyandy latest (2m4f), but sets the benchmark.

Form: 321-213

Lined With Silver¹⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss K Lyons⁽⁷⁾| T: A Phillips| OR: 89| BF| D

16/1

Gained his maiden rules success when beating No No Cardinal at Worcester in May (2m½f good to firm). Pulled up over C&D subsequently, and carries a penalty dropping back into novice company. Difficult task at these weights.

Form: 4823-1P

Sussex Road^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Graham Carson⁽⁷⁾| T: A Sadik| OR: 52

80/1

A 27 race maiden (0 from 19) over fences, and he's certainly no stranger to chasing home all of the others. No chance whatsoever at these weights barring a catastrophe of epic proportions up front.

Form: P357P5

The Society Man³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: M Goldstein| T: M C Chapman| OR: 52

66/1

Now a staggering 0 from 60 over fences, with his sole career success coming over hurdles at Market Rasen way back in December 2012. No chance at these weights, or any other for that matter.

Form: 544456

Gibson Park¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

8/11

A much improved performer over hurdles since switching codes and joining this trainer. Versatile between 2m and 2m2f, well suited by a decent surface, and bids to take advantage of the receipt of 15lb from main market rival Chitu. Chase debut.

Form: 1-22132

Non-Runners

Spoilt Rotten⁶

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: M Pitman J: Conor Shoemark

Forecasts

Gibson Park (8/11), Chitu (5/4), Spoilt Rotten (6/1), Lined With Silver (16/1), The Society Man (66/1), Sussex Road (80/1)

Effectively a match, with the doubly penalised CHITU seeking to record a third success over fences for Irish handler Pat Griffin. He has proved himself equally adept over fences as over hurdles, and certainly wasn't disgraced behind the classy pair of Ballyandy and Fagan at Perth (2m4f) last month. He must concede 15lb to chasing debutant Gibson Park, and strictly on hurdles ratings that appears quite a task. However, the benefit of age and experience is just enough to sway the vote in his direction.