mallardjewellers.com Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 6m 8.9s

Minella Awards^t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 145| D

10/1

Dual winner over hurdles last term landing valuable handicaps at Sandown (2m4f) and Punchestown (3m). Disappointing as favourite on chasing debut but coasted home in two runner race latest where rival jumped poorly. Much tougher ask now.

Form: 1/P7-231

The Worlds End¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 155| D

4/7

Grade One winning novice hurdler came up short of top stayers last term. Jumped impressively en-route to hacking up on chase debut at Chepstow. Potential RSA chase candidate for later in the season and should have too much class for these rivals.

Form: 84474-1

Brynmawr²²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| BF

14/1

Won one of nine over hurdles but finished last season with two seconds to earn a career high mark of 125. That puts him 30lb inferior to The Worlds End so faces a seemingly insurmountable task on chasing debut.

Form: 2/58122-

Ibis Du Rheu^t²¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| C

9/2

2016 Cheltenham festival winner over hurdles hasn't won since and now embarks on a third season over fences so has a lot of experience for a novice. Fifth here and at Aintree to end last season so looks the danger to the selection if there is one.

Form: 23P/455-

Shannon Bridge^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 137

10/1

138 rated hurdler made a fair start over fences when a well beaten third here over 3m½f behind the classy Lil Rockerfeller. Faces one of similar potential here so task no easier but is a nice prospect and has lots of time on his side.

Form: 122P0-3

Theatre Territory^p²¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132| DWS

12/1

Won only once in 15 races but placed in all six chases including excellent third to end last term over Grand National fences at Aintree. That speaks volumes for how well she jumps and should go well here getting weight from all.

Form: 223233-

Forecasts

The Worlds End (4/7), Ibis Du Rheu (9/2), Minella Awards (10/1), Shannon Bridge (10/1), Theatre Territory (12/1), Brynmawr (14/1)

THE WORLDS END wasn't far off top class last season over hurdles as shown when he was only beaten 7½L in the Stayers Hurdle. Having made a smooth start to his chasing career he looks a classy prospect and with a similar round of jumping here he should have too much for these rivals. Ibis Du Rheu is the biggest threat and will enjoy conditions so should be best of the rest. Theatre Territory is an excellent jumper and also one with place potential here.