Lycetts Farm And Estate Insurance Brokers Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 6.1s

Brelan D'As^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| D

6/4

Drops in trip after being outpaced near the finish of a Grade 3 (2m4f) at Cheltenham on Boxing Day but has adapted well to fences and looks the one to be on this time. Cut in the ground suits. (Also entered at Haydock on Friday)

Form: 00-2215

Delire D'Estruval^b1⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 135| D

9/4

Useful over hurdles and comfortably won on his British chase debut with a smooth effort at Carlisle back in October. Well held twice since though and now on a retrieval mission. Stiff test ahead this time.

Form: 104-149

Shady Oaks²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: C T Pogson| OR: 125

13/2

Has some ability over fences but was outclassed in a Grade 2 last time and dangerous to read too much into his presence in that company. Has plenty to find.

Form: 5-34734

Tara Flow²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124| D

3/1

Useful against her own sex over hurdles and has won three time in that sphere when there's been cut in the ground. Can be expected to know what to do now switching to fences but has to be a suspicion that the mare will be better for the experience.

Form: 21645/4

Forecasts

Brelan D'As (6/4), Delire D'Estruval (9/4), Tara Flow (3/1), Shady Oaks (13/2)

BRELAN D'AS has an obvious chance and looks very much the one to beat. (Interesting he comes here rather than return to the previously happy hunting ground of Haydock on Friday.) Delire D'Estruval has ability over fences and looks a bigger threat to the selection than Tara Flow at this stage.