Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:43 | Winning time: 6m 16.0s

Louis' Vac Pouch^h²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: J McGrath| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 141

13/8

Maintained his 100% record over fences (2-2) with an exercise gallop at Catterick (2m3f+, good); still has scope to improve his fencing technique but will be learning with each and every racecourse appearance; live contender.

Form: 100-011

Top Ville Ben^h⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 147| CD

1/1

Prominent when falling at the sixth fence in last week's Grade 1 RSA Chase (Cheltenham); almost certain to force the pace and sets the standard on his return to the scene of his December C&D romp (soft).

Form: 8F-115F

Karezak^b⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 130

14/1

Talented hurdler in the 2014/15 season; back from a three-year absence in November and unsurprisingly unable to regain any positive momentum yet; 19L runner up to Bristol De Mai on sole chasing start at Warwick (2m) in November 2015.

Form: 2224/8P

Noruki²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| D

200/1

PTP winner (March 2017); deliberate over fences under rules (0-2); holds next to no chance whatsoever (barring accidents) against this calibre of opponent.

Form: P14/P4

Sam's Gunner⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 134

15/2

Marked himself out as a fast improving hurdler last season, comfortably winning the Grade 3 EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, soft); didn't appear at all comfortable over fences on his belated seasonal reappearance at Ayr in January.

Form: 2121P-3

Non-Runners

Skipthescales²³

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: P A Kirby J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Top Ville Ben (1/1), Louis' Vac Pouch (13/8), Sam's Gunner (15/2), Karezak (14/1), Skipthescales (14/1), Noruki (200/1)

With the defection of stablemate Skipthescales (runs in the 3.15pm race) this looks an ideal opportunity for TOP VILLE BEN to restore some confidence over fences following his early departure in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. This front-running, normally sound jumping C&D winner is preferred to the Henry Oliver-trained Louis' Vac Pouch.