Bet At racinguk.com Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 4m 41.00s

El Terremoto²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 137| D

10/3

Made a promising start to life over fences when winning an eight runner heat at Southwell. His jumping under pressure has let him down twice since, particularly last time at Perth when he had the race at his mercy before falling at the last.

Form: 160-12F

Cool Mix^h¹⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: I Jardine| OR: 128

13/2

Put up an impressive performance when last seen winning at Ayr in fine fashion. Others have achieved a bit more but he's an exciting prospect on his first start over fences and not ruled out with the quick ground in his favour.

Form: 322151-

Gentleman James^p,t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 74

150/1

Achieved a very low official ratings over hurdles - still a maiden after 11 starts - and hard to make a case for on what he's shown to date. Makes his chase debut.

Form: 800-260

Lough Derg Spirit¹⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 136

4/9

The ground was seemingly too soft for him throughout most of his campaign last season but he ran well in defeat on several occasions. Rates as the type to excel over fences this season and will take a fair amount of beating here.

Form: 1P/2660-

Forecasts

Lough Derg Spirit (4/9), El Terremoto (10/3), Cool Mix (13/2), Gentleman James (150/1)

LOUGH DERG SPIRIT is a fascinating contender on better ground than he experienced throughout most of last year and he gives the impression he will be even better over fences. Cool Mix may be able to get the better of El Terremoto in the battle for minor honours given the latter has to concede a penalty to his rivals.