Mayfield Sussex Hop Gin Novices' Chase

Off time: 12:57 | Winning time: 7m 12.4s

Debacle^b1⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 77

100/1

Poor maiden hurdler who was tried in a handicap last time wearing first-time cheekpieces but wasn't seen to best effect; held up and made little impression. Now switches to chasing but makes very little appeal in this company.

Form: 00-49

Impulsive Star²⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 133

3/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who has yet to win over fences as he embarks on a second season over the larger obstacles. Already has some useful chasing form (placed 4th in the Festival 4m); usually amateur ridden but has professional help today.

Form: 10/F234-

Len Brennan²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: Tim Vaughan

50/1

Has shown a little aptitude for chasing having been placed in a weak Irish point-to-point and was then beaten in a match at Fakenham by one who is likely to prove much superior. Handicaps will be more his bag and outclassed in this.

Form: F3-932

Ok Corral²⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 147

2/9

Has some top-class hurdling form to his name (2nd in the Albert Bartlett) and goes chasing for the first time (non-runner at Cheltenham on Saturday). Makes plenty of appeal in this sphere and faces a relatively easy introduction to chasing.

Form: 2/12125-

Forecasts

Ok Corral (2/9), Impulsive Star (3/1), Len Brennan (50/1), Debacle (100/1)

The Albert Bartlett second was withdrawn from a much stiffer test than this at Cheltenham on Saturday and OK CORRAL should on all known form make a winning start to his chasing career with just one main rival in Impulsive Star. He really ought to have won a race over fences by now but will offer a good test to OK Corral and is the clear danger. Both of the others will do well to finish near the two main protagonists with Len Brennan the pick of the remaining duo; he will have more chance in handicaps further down the line.