Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Novices' Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 3.70s

Debece⁹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 141

6/5

Useful hurdler (141-rated); no match for the Colin Tizzard-trained Drinks Interval when beaten 11L on chasing debut at Chepstow (2m7f+, good to soft) in October; live contender here on return from a 93-day absence.

Form: 313/4-F2

Flying Jack^t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 88

125/1

Has struggled over fences so far (0-7), regularly failing to complete. Faces some reasonably useful hurdlers on vastly disadvantageous terms, so can't be considered as a likely winner.

Form: 1U4F-F6

Iwasthefutureonce²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| OR: 113

20/1

Bought for £14,500 in May 2018 after winning a 3m Knightwick PTP (good) for Thomas Weston; has shown reasonable, albeit not startling form over hurdles for Tim Easterby; could fare better now upped in trip and back over fences.

Form: 2P-1944

Jammin Masters²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: D A Jacob| T: W Greatrex| OR: 137

4/5

Front-runner over hurdles (2-5), and a reliable type earning a rating of 137; the clear form pick based upon what he's shown over fences so (twice a runner-up), although it should be noted that both of those races were going right-handed.

Form: 5110-22

Slanemore Hill^p1³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: C Grant

66/1

Hexham PTP winner for Anthony Ross in April 2018; joined Chris Grant for £20,000; in deep enough over fences so far, albeit hasn't convinced either; makes little appeal at present despite the aid of newly applied cheekpieces.

Form: P341-3P

Forecasts

Jammin Masters (4/5), Debece (6/5), Iwasthefutureonce (20/1), Slanemore Hill (66/1), Flying Jack (125/1)

Barring accidents, this race effectively looks to be a match between JAMMIN MASTERS and Debece. The Warren Greatrex-trained runner has the assistance of the Champion Jockey Richard Johnson in the saddle and has shown much the best form over fences so far. Although he didn't entirely convince with his jumping at Ascot latest, that race was a 3m Listed contest, and it will come as no major surprise if his rider adopts forcing tactics from the outset in order to put these mainly less talented rivals to the sword.