Charles Stanley Investment Choices Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 0.4s

Byron Flyer¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: W T Kennedy| T: Ian Williams| OR: 133| BF| C| D

11/8

Talented dual purpose performer (rated 132 over hurdles and 104 on the flat). Not ran over hurdles since October when he was sent off favourite for a warm handicap at Aintree. Probably the one to beat on chase debut.

Form: 80155/6-

Landsman^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 127

9/4

Posted a good effort on debut over fences when runner-up to Utility at Southwell (2m; good) last month. Genuine possibilities if able to come on from that run which was off the back of a four-month break.

Form: 31203-2

Sussex Road^p⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: T J Phelan| T: A Sadik| OR: 44

100/1

Impossible to fancy. Has ran 47 times over fences without tasting success, and has been beaten a country mile the last twice (sent off 100-1 on each of those occasions). Here for fourth-place prize money.

Form: 4-P4445

Passing Call^p⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| CD

15/8

126-rated hurdler who makes her chasing debut at a realistic level to start off in. Receives weight from the geldings, and her trainer is in good form at present. Could be tough to beat if taking to fences.

Form: 34-4278

Forecasts

Byron Flyer (11/8), Passing Call (15/8), Landsman (9/4), Sussex Road (100/1)

A small-field novice chase in which Sussex Road can be quickly ruled out as a live contender for obvious reasons. It is hard to knock the chasing debut effort of Landsman who only found one too good at Southwell last month, but even he probably has a little bit to find the main pair of BYRON FLYER & Passing Call. The aforementioned pair are having their first run over fences, and the former is narrowly preferred given he was a classier sort than the latter and wasn't far behind Paisley Park when last seen over hurdles. The latter does receive a handy 7lb from the boys though, so it is likely to be tight between them.