mallardjewellers.com Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 6m 51.85s

Soldier Of Love^p,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| D

13/2

Improved out of all recognition since undergoing a breathing operation, progressing by the run to rack up a 4-race winning sequence. Beaten fair and square over this C&D last month but should go well.

Form: F-11112

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

The Butcher Said^h,t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 139| D

8/1

Useful hurdler who has made a positive start to chasing, sauntering to success at Southwell and scoring by the narrowest of margins at Bangor in September. Can fight out the forecast spot.

Form: 252-121

Wolf Of Windlesham³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: S Edmunds| OR: 140| C| D

12/1

Useful hurdler at his best but lightly raced since 2016. Matched that form when making a successful debut over fences after 8 months off at Fakenham last month but others make more appeal here.

Form: F92B/6-1

Doc Penfro³⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 136

12/1

Useful hurdler, winning 23f Bangor handicap last December and fine second at Warwick the following month. In front when falling last on sole point start but others preferred on his chasing bow.

Form: 402/412-

The Big Breakaway²⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 144| D

4/9

Expensive point recruit who ran out an easy winner of his first couple of Rules outings before a good fourth in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. Has potential to make a top quality staying chaser.

Form: 1/114-

Non-Runners

The Mighty Don³⁷

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: N J Gifford J: James Davies

Forecasts

The Big Breakaway (4/9), Soldier Of Love (13/2), The Butcher Said (8/1), The Mighty Don (10/1), Doc Penfro (12/1), Wolf Of Windlesham (12/1)

THE BIG BREAKAWAY has the potential to make a top quality staying chaser for Colin Tizzard and he's a confident selection to make a winning start over fences having created a big impression over timber last term. Soldier of Love and The Butcher Said look the main dangers, with Paul Nicholls' charge narrowly preferred having improved out of all recognition following a breathing operation.