bet365 December Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 5.85s

Ballycrystal⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 130| C| D

16/1

Won over 2m6f as a hurdler and made a nice chasing debut/reappearance from an eight-month absence when 2¼L second at Sedgefield in a beginners' race. Has the potential to improve, especially now upped in trip and will need to in this field.

Form: 12154-2

Braqueur D'Or¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

7/4

By far the most experienced chaser in the line-up and is 3-8 over fences, with good or fast ground ideal. Superb effort when 33-1 and 13L fourth in Ladbroke Trophy at Newbury last time. Plenty going for him if that effort has not taken its toll.

Form: 322134

Keeper Hill²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 138

5/2

Former decent novice over hurdles who obliged at 1-12 on chase debut at Stratford last month and not disgrace when 9L runner-up under a penalty behind decent sort at Plumpton last time. Step up in trip/good ground positive and he can go close.

Form: 1176-12

Rocklander¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 139

7/4

Overcame a first fence howler to win by a wide margin at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) last month on chase debut. Was rated 141 at his best over hurdles and should be capable of bettering that over fences, especially now upped in trip. Leading player.

Form: 12220-1

Forecasts

Braqueur D'Or (7/4), Rocklander (7/4), Keeper Hill (5/2), Ballycrystal (16/1)

Although flattered by his winning margin at Ludlow, Rocklander has to be taken very seriously here as he could do no more than win. He is open to improvement and is very much respected despite taking him on with BRAQUEUR D'OR, whose performance in the hurly burly of the Ladbrokes Trophy last time was very good in context and there may well be more to come from him. Keeper Hill has made a bright start over fences too and he should make this into a very competitive contest despite the minimal number of participants..