Integral Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 1.10s

Shantou Rock^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 148| D

8/15

Very consistent novice hurdler who won three and was second in three of eight starts. Made all on chasing debut at Newton Abbot where jumped particularly well for a novice. Tough to beat here despite his penalty.

Form: 1211F-1

Full Irish²⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 129| D

11/2

Useful bumper and novice hurdle winner who always promised to be better over fences. Hurdles form generally over around 2m4f so may fins this sharp enough especially with Shantou Rock likely to go off fast but is a good prospect.

Form: 36/4218-

Ozzie The Oscar²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136| D

7/2

Excellent novice hurdle campaign where he won four times and was a ½L third in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival. Struggled at higher levels in two subsequent starts but potentially smart over fences and has lots of speed.

Form: 1P430-5

Positively Dylan³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| D

20/1

Bumped into the very smart novice Sceau Royal on his chasing debut over course and distance last month. Not disgraced in third there although well beaten and that form offers hope in what is surely a weaker race.

Form: 43-1133

Ramonex¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: R T Dunne| T: R Hobson| OR: 122| D

66/1

Improved in two starts for current yard, winning a novice hurdle at Perth before finishing second at Aintree. Chase debutant who is up against it on hurdles form.

Form: 36F51-2

Forecasts

Shantou Rock (8/15), Ozzie The Oscar (7/2), Full Irish (11/2), Positively Dylan (20/1), Ramonex (66/1)

There was lots to like about the chasing debut of SHANTOU ROCK at Newton Abbot and as the youngest horse in the field he could still be improving as he clearly did throughout a good novice hurdling campaign last year. He jumped really well there and will take all of the beating even with the 5lb penalty. Ozzie The Oscar is a danger, he was classy over hurdles and could be tailor-made for fast run 2m chases and represents top connections. Positively Dylan also deserves a mention having run well behind a very high class hurdler on his chasing debut.