Gordon Banks - Celebrating His 80th Year Novices' Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 18.7s

Mister Miyagi³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: S Edmunds| OR: 139| CD

9/4

Unbeaten in two starts over fences including when winning a match after his sole rival departed at the opening fences at Market Rasen (good) last time out. Won over this C&D prior to that though likely to find life tougher under a double penalty.

Form: 260/0-11

Monbeg Legend³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139| BF| D

2/1

Won off a mark of 132 on chase debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good) in May and ran well when finishing runner-up at Worcester (2m4f, good) subsequently. Trip and ground should suit and a leading contender once more.

Form: 1120-12

Fair Exchange⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen

16/1

Placed in a maiden hunter chase at Cartmel (2m5f, good) in May but refused at Stratford the following month. Looks up against it on debut for this stable.

Form: 4-P412P

Golden Birthday^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 144

6/4

In good form last year winning five on the bounce under all codes. Won off a mark of 132 on his most recent hurdles outing and is a leading contender for a top yard on debut over fences.

Form: 30/1311-

Forecasts

Golden Birthday (6/4), Monbeg Legend (2/1), Mister Miyagi (9/4), Fair Exchange (16/1)

MONBEG LEGEND ran well to finish runner-up last time and he can register his second victory over fences in this classy novices' chase. The selection is taken to get the better of useful hurdler Golden Birthday who can take second on his debut over the larger obstacles while third can go the way of dual chase winner Mister Miyagi.