Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 3m 56.0s

Al Dancer⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 151| BF| D

11/4

Top novice hurdler last season. Made perfect start to life over fences at Cheltenham (2m) in October before finishing second in 2m Grade 2 at that track last time. Claims but may need a bit more now.

Form: 1110-12

Editeur Du Gite²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122

66/1

Winner of one race when trained in the French provinces but bombed out on chasing debut when pulling up at Sandown (2m4f) this month. This looks a tough ask.

Form: 2/1-P

Global Citizen^t1⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 156| CD

8/1

Impressive Grade 2 winner over C&D as a novice hurdler but not in the same vein of form since. Modest fourth of six on chase debut at Carlisle (2m) in November and others make more appeal.

Form: 21417-4

Grand Sancy^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 152| D

11/2

Above average hurdler, winning Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle last season and second in the Elite Hurdle two starts ago. Modest third on chase debut in Sandown Grade 1 novice chase but claims if replicating previous hurdles form.

Form: 210-F23

Rouge Vif⁴⁰

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

11/2

Grade 2 winner and placed at the top level over hurdles last season and made perfect start over fences at Market Rasen (2m1f) in October. Not as good when last of four in Cheltenham Grade 2 latest (2m) and needs to bounce back.

Form: 2113-14

Fanion D'estruval²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 149| D

6/4

Impressive when winning three of his four starts when trained in France and made fine British debut with 6L success at Newbury (2m) in November. Still unexposed and must be respected.

Form: 17-1111

Forecasts

Fanion D'estruval (6/4), Al Dancer (11/4), Rouge Vif (11/2), Grand Sancy (11/2), Global Citizen (8/1), Editeur Du Gite (66/1)

There may not be the likes of a Sprinter Sacre in this year's field, but FANION D'ESTRUVAL left a strong impression after his easy Newbury debut with the form being franked since. In receipt of 2lb from his rivals, Venetia Williams' charge could be hard to beat. Al Dancer has threatened to turn into a top-class horse throughout his career and he didn't do his reputation any harm in defeat last time, while the hardy Grand Sancy will run his typical race but like on his debut, there will be serious pressure on his jumping.