Ryman Novices' Chase

Off time: 12:46 | Winning time: 5m 12.10s

Drovers Lane²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 145| D

3/1

Winning hurdler who promises to be even better over fences. Successful in two of his three runs over the bigger obstacles and showed a good attitude to score at Market Rasen last time.

Form: 112171

Jenkins^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145

3/1

Capable handicap hurdler who made a winning chasing debut when long odds-on at Stratford and then ran well to be a close fourth in a far stronger contest at this track. Has room for improvement in this sphere.

Form: 10P0-14

Le Breuil¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 144| D

3/1

Had Jenkins less than a length behind when second at this venue last month and may have found 2m7½ stretching his stamina behind a smart novice at Newbury last time. Leading contender back in trip.

Form: 015-123

The Russian Doyen³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 139

9/4

Dual hurdle winner who made a successful chasing debut at Exeter last month. Jumped well that day and looks a horse with a future at this game.

Form: 31516-1

Dentley De Mee^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Chester Williams| T: Nick Williams| OR: 130| BF

20/1

Encouraging chasing debut when third at Sandown, but failed to back that up at Doncaster. Still young and can make his mark at some stage, but is taking on some smart rivals.

Form: 322-232

Non-Runners

Ok Corral²⁴⁶

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: N J Henderson J: B J Geraghty

Forecasts

The Russian Doyen (9/4), Ok Corral (9/4), Drovers Lane (3/1), Le Breuil (3/1), Jenkins (3/1), Dentley De Mee (20/1)

An intriguing contest in which none of the six runners can be dismissed with any confidence. Le Breuil sets the form standard over fences and should be involved in the finish, while The Russian Doyen impressed with his jumping on his chasing debut and Drovers Lane is a progressive sort who clearly enjoys the challenge of fences. Jenkins had such an easy debut that he looks sure to improve for his subsequent fourth at this track, but his stable companion OK CORRAL looks the better prospect and boasts Cheltenham Festival form which entitles him to win this if he takes to chasing.