14:25 Wetherby

Wednesday 14 October 2020

All13:5214:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:1517:45

Sixt Car Hire Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 55.58s

Champagne Well^t²¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 141WS

15/8

Made up into a useful novice hurdler last term, runner-up 3 times in Grade 2 company. Every inch a chasing type and should have a big part to play granted a clear round. Has undergone wind surgery.

Form: 6/1222P-

General Custard^t⁶⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 122| D

25/1

Dual winner of novice hurdles in 2018 but wellbeing has to be taken on trust now switched to fences following a 22-month absence.

Form: 2P1231/

Howling Milan^h1,t²³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 125

16/1

Facile winner of Newbury novice hurdle in December 2018. Largely struggled in handicaps last season and while he possesses the scope to make up into a better chaser, this is a tough starting point.

Form: 1/754F0-

One Night In Milan²⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 142| D

8/1

Progressive hurdler last season, culminating in a creditable effort in Grade 2 company at Haydock in February. If able to translate that level of ability to this sphere, he'll surely go close.

Form: 1/12233-

Rob The Getaway³¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: S Allwood

50/1

Aintree bumper winner on sole start under Rules but that was back in May 2018. Beaten a fair way on latest start between the flags 10 months ago and probably best watched on chase debut.

Form: 112F5/5-

Shan Blue²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139

5/4

Held his own in good company following Southwell maiden hurdle success last term, by no means disgraced at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Very much of interest now switched to fences.

Form: 2F1326-

Sirwilliamwallace²¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 121

16/1

Winner of a heavy-ground Kelso maiden hurdle in January but bombed out at Newcastle subsequently. Faces a stiff task on this chase debut following a 7-month break.

Form: 2/5216-

Repetitio^h⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 128

10/1

Dual winning hurdler in 2019 and scored on the Flat during the summer. Bit to find with a few of these based on hurdles form but 4-y-o weight allowance gives him a fighting chance now tackling fences.

Form: 133310-

Forecasts

Shan Blue (5/4), Champagne Well (15/8), One Night In Milan (8/1), Repetitio (10/1), Sirwilliamwallace (16/1), Howling Milan (16/1), General Custard (25/1), Rob The Getaway (50/1)

An intriguing race with three potentially smart novices locking horns, namely CHAMPAGNE WELL, One Night In Milan and Shan Blue. There's little to choose between the trio judged on hurdling exploits but if there's one who stands out as a proper chasing type, it's Champagne Well. The 4-y-o Repetitio is fit from the Flat and also enters calculations given his handy weight allowance.