Watch And Bet At MansionBet Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 5m 6.83s

Senior Citizen³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 134

5/2

Better chaser than hurdler and didn't need to improve to land a novice at Newton Abbot 34 days ago. Looking exposed now, though, and has to give weight away all round.

Form: 06/214-1

Battle Anthem¹⁰⁶⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe

125/1

Multiple Irish point winner who bled when pulled up in the Berkshire Novices' on his Rules debut over 2 years ago. Makes no appeal.

Form: 13231P/

Espoir De Romay^t1²³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 142| DWS

8/11

Progressive novice hurdler who impressively landed Wincanton handicap in January. Underwhelming run in the Martin Pipe handicap at Cheltenham on final outing but very much type to relish fences.

Form: 3/1310-

Gateway To Europe^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 121| BF

12/1

Knocking on the door in handicap hurdles through the summer but went backwards from a positive chasing debut when a well-held third at Plumpton recently. Cheekpieces go back on.

Form: 542323

Old Rascals⁶¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 134

10/1

Placed all 3 completed starts in Irish points and off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles in a novice at Wincanton 20 months ago. Not seen since but type to do better over fences.

Form: R233P1/

The Vollan^p,t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 130| D

14/1

Dual hurdle winner last term and going well in a closing second when unseated rider 3 out on chase bow at Bangor in August. Disappointing there subsequently, though.

Form: 80-23U0

Forecasts

Espoir De Romay (8/11), Senior Citizen (5/2), Old Rascals (10/1), Gateway To Europe (12/1), The Vollan (14/1), Battle Anthem (125/1)

ESPOIR DE ROMAY wasn't quite on his game in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham 7 months ago but, prior to that, he'd proved to be a useful and likeable hurdler. In addition, he's undergone a breathing operation since and is the type to relish fences, so he's fancied to make a winning debut in this sphere at the likely expense of Senior Citizen, who has the edge in terms of fitness and experience.