Michael Spiers Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 45.33s

Brewin'upastorm²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 148

8/15

Developed into a high-class hurdler last year finishing fourth over 2m5f in the Ballymore at Cheltenham. Stayed on gamely to deny another promising sort on his chase debut at Carlisle, and holds outstanding claims on that form.

Form: 14F42-1

Paint The Dream^t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127

16/1

Winner of a handicap hurdle at Perth in April, but only eighth of 9 to Thyme Hill in Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow last month, and has something to find now switching to the larger obstacles.

Form: 43521-8

Romanor^h³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins| OR: 115| D

50/1

Bit disappointing since finishing second in a handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot in August, and can race freely. Possible he'll make a chaser for all he's not bred for it, but he's facing a stiff task on first try.

Form: 252635

Southfield Stone²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| BF| C

9/5

Smart novice hurdler last term, winning Grade 2 Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton in February. Made a satisfactory start over fences when second to Litterale Ci in maiden at Exeter last month, and looks the main danger to the likely favourite.

Form: 13217-2

Forecasts

Brewin'upastorm (8/15), Southfield Stone (9/5), Paint The Dream (16/1), Romanor (50/1)

There shouldn't be a great deal between BREWIN'UPASTORM and Southfield Stone on hurdles form, but the former has always looked a chaser in the making, and made a very promising start when beating Good Boy Bobby at Carlisle. That reads better than his main rival's defeat in a mares' contest, and he should be too strong with improvement expected. Paint The Dream is fairly useful, but needs the top two to falter if he's to score on his chase debut.