Ladbrokes John Francome Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 5m 54.20s

Black Corton^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155| D

9/4

Impressive strike-rate and winner of six of his eight chase starts so far including over an extended 3m at Cheltenham (soft) last time out. Unbeaten in five starts under today's rider and likely to put up a bold show once more.

Form: 211111

Elegant Escape²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137

7/1

Twice a winner over hurdles and fair efforts in finishing runner-up on both starts over fences so far. Beaten 13L on soft ground at Exeter last time out and represents a stable who have won this for the past two years.

Form: 4577-22

Fountains Windfall¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball

3/1

Grade 3 handicap hurdle winner at Aintree (good) in April and made a winning debut over fences when coming home 11L clear of his rivals at Southwell (good) over an extended 2m4f last time out. One to note in this contest.

Form: 3111-51

Sir Ivan^t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 143

7/2

Winner of his last two starts including off a mark of 135 over an extended 2m6f at Uttoxeter (soft) last time out. Returns to novice company and interesting to see how he fares for a stable with a 36% strike-rate of late (5/14).

Form: F43F-11

Wait For Me^h,t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| BF| C

4/1

Successful on chasing debut at Worcester (good) over 2m4f in September. Still in front when falling four from home at Chepstow subsequently and worth a check in the market today.

Form: 091-21F

Forecasts

Black Corton (9/4), Fountains Windfall (3/1), Sir Ivan (7/2), Wait For Me (4/1), Elegant Escape (7/1)

BLACK CORTON can defy a penalty to take this novice chase and in the process register his seventh victory over fences. Paul Nicholls charge saw off a couple of useful rivals when winning at Cheltenham last time out and can get the better of Fountains Windfall who mad eh best possible start to his chasing career when winning last time out while Sir Ivan, a winner twice over fences this year can finish third on this occasion.