bet365 December Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 6m 24.22s

Aye Right⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 146| BF| D

11/1

Thoroughly likable sort who won five times as well as finishing second five times in 12 hurdle races. Lone chase debutant and the lowest rated performer but folly to dismiss him altogether.

Form: 2241-12

Sam Spinner^p⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Joe Colliver| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 159| D

6/5

Grade 1 staying hurdle winner two seasons ago found just one too good in last season's Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. 2-2 over fences although not entirely convincing in either. Tendency to jump right not ideal and much sterner test now.

Form: U428-11

Windsor Avenue³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 153| D

4/5

The apple of his trainer's eye this dual hurdle winner slammed a recent winner at Sedgefield before again making a deep impression at Carlisle latest. Much tougher test now against Sam Spinner but he looks a more natural chaser so gets the vote.

Form: 1412-11

Forecasts

Windsor Avenue (4/5), Sam Spinner (6/5), Aye Right (11/1)

Brian Ellison openly admitted he's never been as nervous as he was before WINDSOR AVENUE's race at Carlisle. He needn't have been as this exciting prospect hacked up again from the front further cementing his place among the leading staying novices in training. In Sam Spinner he meets a worth adversary himself 2-2 over fences but Jedd O'Keeffe's stable star looked in grave danger once or twice in both and if he hits a flat spot here the selection will be away and gone. The duo's preference for front-running is an interesting subplot. Aye Right is useful himself but faces a very hard ask first time over fences.