Bruce Farms Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:18 | Winning time: 6m 13.45s

River Icon^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 120

13/2

Opened her account over fences in 21f handicap at Cartmel (21f) and again ran well when second at Perth in September. Well held on Flat since but no forlorn hope back over fences.

Form: 148-412

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Bako De La Saulaie^p1³⁴

5/2

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who seems hard to train these days and below form in a C&D event on return from 7 months off in October. Wind surgery needs to have had positive effect now.

Form: 322/P4-3

The Ferry Master^p1²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 119| BF

2/1

Lightly-raced hurdles winner who, on the back of wind surgery, showed improved form when second over fences on return at Hexham (20f) last month. Type to do better still and possibilities.

Form: 3/3251-2

Speak Of The Devil³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 112

7/2

Winning pointer who has surpassed hurdles form over fences, off the mark on return to action at Hexham (3m) early last month. Jumped better than has been the case then and claims with a repeat.

Form: 2U224-1

Millarville^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 107

15/2

Irish point winner and dual hurdle winner for Oliver Sherwood. Not beaten far when eighth over fences at Carlisle (2m) on latest start and not ruled out given she remains low mileage in this sphere.

Form: U4-F868

Non-Runners

Scottish Accent²⁸

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: R Menzies J: Nathan Moscrop

Forecasts

The Ferry Master (2/1), Bako De La Saulaie (5/2), Speak Of The Devil (7/2), River Icon (13/2), Millarville (15/2), Scottish Accent (12/1)

THE FERRY MASTER showed plenty of ability over hurdles and improved on those exploits when runner-up on chase debut at Hexham last month, shaping as though the run would bring him on. Open to improvement in this sphere, he gets the nod to confirm that promise wth victory. River Icon back over fences and Scottish Accent are others fancied to play a part.