racinguk.com Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 4m 33.70s

Brain Power²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D J Mullins| T: N J Henderson| C

1/2

Victorious off a mark of 149 in a valuable handicap hurdle on good-to-soft ground at Ascot in December, outclassed in Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring. Chase bow for champion trainer.

Form: 381185-

War Sound²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

4/1

Landed the 2015 Swinton Hurdle and was the subject of a gamble that went astray in the 2016 Betfair Hurdle. Career has been hampered by injuries but long considered the type to do better over fences and made fair start at Uttoxeter.

Form: 51910/3

Winter Escape²¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: A King| BF| C

9/2

Promising novice hurdler in spring of 2016, limited appearance since. Ran fine race in the County Hurdle behind Arctic Fire (beaten 2¾L in fifth) and returns now for chasing bow. Very lightly-raced.

Form: 111/050-

Mariah's Legend¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy

50/1

Unable to go the pace in Listed novice chase at Bangor (2m1½f, soft) this month on return from 209 days off / first start over fences. Entitled to be fitter now.

Form: 71639-5

Forecasts

Brain Power (1/2), War Sound (4/1), Winter Escape (9/2), Mariah's Legend (50/1)

This appears to revolve around BRAIN POWER, a Listed and Grade 3 winner over hurdles, who bids to win this contest for the second year running. Altior did the honours last time and while would be fanciful to expect similar progress, this Seven Barrows inmate holds his three rivals based on what they achieved over timber. Former Swinton Hurdle winner War Sound showed up well on his return to action at Uttoxeter and joins Winter Escape, a close-up fifith in the County Hurdle when last out, in having most to offer in resistance to the likely favourite. Mariah's Legend was well beaten in Listed company at Bangor recently but should see the benefit of that outing.