Download The App At Virgin Bet Novices' Chase

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 4m 23.1s

Baddesley Knight²⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 131

14/1

Should be able to make his mark in this sphere but has something to find at the weights with regard to the rest of the field on their hurdling exploits. Could well improve for entering this sphere but likely to find one or two too good.

Form: 21/4513-

Earlofthecotswolds²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140| CD

11/8

Already enjoyed a bumper and two hurdles wins around this venue he improved again when runner-up in a Listed handicap hurdle last time. Still looks to have more improvement in him over fences; only one with a recent run.

Form: 15121-2

L'Inganno Felice^h³⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Ross Chapman| T: I Jardine| OR: 143| CD

25/1

Three-time winner here over hurdles (part of a four-timer in 2018); only seen once since then (pulled up), now returns from a long absence. Overall level of his hurdling form gives him a chance although he is nine plus fitness a question mark.

Form: 31/111P-

Rouge Vif^h¹⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 142

2/1

Bumper winner who continued his progression over hurdles (3-6) taking a Grade 2 event at Kelso; ran as well as could be expected when last seen in Aintree Grade 1. Has the demeanour/physique to make a chaser; prominent racer.

Form: 212113-

Malaya¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| D

7/2

Arguably the best of these over hurdles (Imperial Cup winner, soft); the ground proved too lively for her in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. Gets a 7lb mares' allowance going chasing for the first time; trainer has won this the last two years.

Form: 8/FF410-

Forecasts

Earlofthecotswolds (11/8), Rouge Vif (2/1), Malaya (7/2), Baddesley Knight (14/1), L'Inganno Felice (25/1)

With all five chasing newcomers some guesswork is involved here although with Paul Nicholls having won the last two runnings of this event and with a chasing debutant last year Imperial Cup winner Malaya has to be of interest. However, marginal preference is given to ROUGE VIF who wasn’t disgraced in an Aintree Grade 1 on his final start having always looked as though this was going to be a discipline, he would shine in. It would be no surprise to see Earlofthecotswolds play a major role around a course he clearly loves (three-time winner here) given how well his yard is performing at the moment.