888Sport Novices' Chase

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 4m 23.20s

First Flow¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 148| D

4/11

Front-running type who has proved solid and consistent when sent chasing this season winning twice and yet to finish worse than third. Both wins have come at odds-on converting simple tasks; has run well in better company; concedes plenty of weight.

Form: 221321

Theatre Legend³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: C Grant| OR: 136| D

9/4

Consistent hurdler who turned to chasing after a rare flop over hurdles shaping well on debut at Sedgefield jumping soundly in the main. In receipt of plenty of weight which could offset his lack of chasing experience against First Flow.

Form: 1-32282

Etamine Du Cochet^t¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 110WS

25/1

Fair hurdler but not achieved the same standard in that sphere as her two rivals. Well below her best hurdles form when switched to this sphere late last year (not seen since); ought to improve but does need the ground to dry even more.

Form: P13U3-3

Forecasts

First Flow (4/11), Theatre Legend (9/4), Etamine Du Cochet (25/1)

On official ratings the main two protagonists FIRST FLOW and Theatre Legend are weighted to dead-heat bit those ratings don’t take into account chasing experience and Kim Bailey’s charge has that in abundance over his main rival. Given his style of racing he should be able to establish a lead and get into a good rhythm. Theatre Legend should come on for his first chasing experience but this may not be the ideal scenario for him. Etamine Du Cochet looks outclassed and would need some mishaps to snatch this prize.