Compare Bookies At bookies.com Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 16.96s

Alzammaar²⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathan England| T: S England

11/1

A three time hurdles winner for Warren Greatrex, he was picked up for £20,000 last November, and showed promise over an inadequate 2m3f at Catterick in January. Switched to fences for the first time, but will be well schooled hailing from this yard.

Form: 170250-

Brio Conti²¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls

2/5

His hurdles rating of 145 is probably excessive, but there's no doubting that he has ability as shown when a 3½L winner of a Class 2 handicap hurdle at Kempton in March (2m5f good). Chase debut, and a rare Nicholls runner at Carlisle.

Form: F28115-

Progress Drive²⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 128| D

9/1

A four time career winner (50% strike rate) who appears well suited by plenty of cut. Has the size and scope to make a decent handicap chaser, but this represents a tricky starting point given the opposition.

Form: 211415-

Shades Of Midnight^t²³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: D W Whillans| CD

5/1

A solid performer over hurdles, albeit without perhaps fulfilling the potential he displayed very early in his career. Every likelihood that he'll take the switch to fences in his stride, and no problems with track, trip or conditions.

Form: 66543P-

Winter Lion^p,t⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: A E Lynch| T: M J Smith

40/1

A 2L runner up on his chasing debut in May (Down Royal), but will encounter vastly different ground conditions today. Has shown his ability in winning on the Flat and over hurdles, but this looks plenty tough enough despite the small field.

Form: 100-248

Non-Runners

Chateau Chinon²⁴³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: R Menzies J: Tony Kelly

Forecasts

Brio Conti (2/5), Shades Of Midnight (5/1), Progress Drive (9/1), Alzammaar (11/1), Winter Lion (40/1), Chateau Chinon (66/1)

Paul Nicholls has a 67% strike rate (four from six) with his jumps runners at Carlisle over the past five years, and his fences newcomer BRIO CONTI should have every chance of improving on those figures granted a clear round of fencing. His options over hurdles are perhaps limited from a mark of 145, as he pays the price for his Kempton success in March (raised 11lb), but he looks to have an exciting future ahead as a novice over fences, and has the clear edge today over some rivals who are likely to make their own impression over fences in slightly lesser company.