Bet 10 Get 20 At 188Bet Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 44.0s

Brelan D'As^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| BF

5/4

Just three outings since arriving at Ditcheat in 2015. Easy winner of Wincanton handicap hurdle (2m4f, good) this time last year when rated 130, then beaten favourite on chase bow at Ffos Las last month on sole start since. Can improve.

Form: 41P/1-3

Duel At Dawn^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 135| D

7/4

Very likeable handicap hurdler last season (placed in Grade 2 novice and won off 130 at Bangor), made a decent start in Chepstow novices' chase last month (second) and capable of building on that over slightly longer journey.

Form: 3/5131-2

Flintham^p²⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: M Bradstock| OR: 139| D

11/4

A half-brother to Gold Cup winner Coneygree, he was pulled up in the four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival when last spotted. Previous Ascot run in Grade 2 novice hurdle was very promising. Conceding fitness to a couple here, which is a concern.

Form: 010/42P-

Non-Runners

Impulsive Star²⁵⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: N P Mulholland J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

Forecasts

Brelan D'As (5/4), Duel At Dawn (7/4), Flintham (11/4), Impulsive Star (11/4)

A intriguing contest where none of the quartet are to be discounted. Perhaps the most interesting is Brelan D'as for Team Ditcheat. He has raced sparingly since arriving from France, winning this time last year over hurdles at Wincanton on his only outing the term. He made a decent start over fences at Ffos Las and could have a lot more to offer. Duel At Dawn also started in fair fashion of fences and can improve. Flintham, second in Grade 2 over hurdles last term, is an exciting prospect but more likely to need the run compared to IMPULSIVE STAR. Neil Mulholland's charge was a very promising novice last term over hurdles and is tipped to be even better as a chaser, while he also goes well fresh, ensuring he gets the narrow verdict in this trappy contest.