Betway Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 33.74s

Neverbeen To Paris²³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-3| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 122| D

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler who shaped as if retaining his ability when third on return in that sphere at Bangor in July. Jumped none too fluently however, and similar story sent chasing subsequently.

Form: 5277-36

Ain't My Fault^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117

4/1

Maiden who has agonisingly found only one too good on 5 of his 6 starts over fences, including on return at Bangor (17f) last month. No reason why he won't go well again.

Form: 22223-2

Classic Escape⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 114

3/1

Fair hurdler in Ireland who ran up to his best on return from 12 months off/yard debut when second at Newton Abbot (26.5f) last month, staying on. Has a point background and worth a look now chasing.

Form: 308P4-2

Cage Of Fear¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 112

5/2

£50,000 purchase from points who has displayed ability in bumpers/over hurdles. Low-key return over timber at Bangor last month but highly likely there is a good deal more to come now chasing.

Form: 263/32-6

Castle North⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 110

100/1

Won maiden hurdle for Willie Mullins last May, but well held all 4 starts since (over fences on sole run for Colin McBratney in November) and back over hurdles on return for new yard in July.

Form: 21307-P

Guardia Top³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 122

7/1

Quickly developed in to a fairly useful hurdler last year and also managed a runners-up effort at listed level in January. Low-key efforts on the Flat of late and market should guide now chasing.

Form: 121327-

Paricolor^p,t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 118

15/2

Flat/fair hurdles winner who was let down by his jumping on chasing bow at Cartmel (21f) last month, going well when falling heavily 3 out. Not ruled out if he's brushed up in that department.

Form: F1138-F

Forecasts

Cage Of Fear (5/2), Classic Escape (3/1), Ain't My Fault (4/1), Neverbeen To Paris (6/1), Guardia Top (7/1), Paricolor (15/2), Castle North (100/1)

A wide-open novices' handicap with a chance taken on CAGE OF FEAR. He showed ability over hurdles last year and, boasting a pointing background, improvement can be expected for the switch to larger obstacles. Paricolor is a danger if sharpening up his jumping, whilst Ain't My Fault, who is consistent if frustrating, is also fancied to feature.