squareintheair.com Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 4m 5.80s

Caius Marcius^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 147| D

8/1

Had a fine summer; his second try over fences proving successful landing four novice chases in small fields (favourite each time). Likely to be his last dance before being put away for the winter; stiff task giving weight to some smart ex-hurdlers.

Form: 7-12111

Al Dancer^h²²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 151| BF| C| D

10/11

Impressive winner of two high-profile handicap hurdles as a novice (wore hood both times). Strange to see that vital piece of equipment dispensed with when disappointing in the Supreme; has loads of scope to make a chaser; further progress to come.

Form: 4/11110-

Getaway Trump¹⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155| D

6/4

Work to do with Al Dancer on one piece of hurdles form but did improve after that recording two impressive victories in that discipline. No doubt he's an exciting prospect who handles cut in the ground; interesting connections take him chasing.

Form: 124411-

Not That Fuisse¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| D

16/1

The only other one in the field with some chasing experience his debut in this sphere was promising at Uttoxeter, 2m4f, (travelled and jumped well). Inferior over hurdles to the rest of the field he's unlikely to be disgraced.

Form: 6214F-2

Forecasts

Al Dancer (10/11), Getaway Trump (6/4), Caius Marcius (8/1), Not That Fuisse (16/1)

Only four go to post but it’s still an intriguing contest despite the possibility that it may turn into a match between two ex-hurdlers who could well have been Champion Hurdle bound this year. Getaway Trump improved over hurdles after being beaten into fourth in the Betfair Hurdle by AL DANCER when giving the selection 1lb and if both run and jump as expected that form should be confirmed especially as Nigel Twiston-Davies charge now sees the hood reapplied. Not That Fuisse wasn’t disgraced on his chasing debut but has no right to beat the principles while Caius Marcius faces a tall order with his penalties and the possibility that the ground could prove too soft.