Change Your House With Lumi - Plugin Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:08 | Winning time: 7m 46.71s

Talktomenow^b²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 115

15/2

Did the job well when opening hurdles account at Perth (3m) in September. However, found things tougher off revised mark next 2 starts (in first-time blinkers latest) and more needed on chase debut.

Form: 736-142

Orchard Thieves^b,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 112

11/1

Made winning hurdles bow at Worcester in 2018, but well beaten on each of his 3 sporadic subsequent appearances, including in this headgear combination switched to fences here last month.

Form: 218/5-5

Mercian Knight^b1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 112| BF

11/4

Hurdles winner who shaped as if better for the run on return/chase bow at Lingfield in October. Failed to build on that with cheekpieces added at Southwell next time, though, and now blinkered.

Form: 2153-54

Et Moi Alors^p¹¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 110

11/2

Several creditable efforts to his name over hurdles and Stratford chase debut wasn't devoid of promise. Rider lost irons here next time, so that run can be overlooked and he remains of interest.

Form: 23/23-64

Gars Bar Dine^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 102| C

15/8

Exposed maiden over hurdles, but got the job done at fifth attempt in this sphere when scoring with the aid of first-time cheekpieces (retained) in 21.6f handicap here last month. 5 lb rise fair.

Form: 545/6-71

Nessfield Blue⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: M D Grant| T: P G Murphy| OR: 97

13/2

Modest maiden hurdler who made an encouraging start to the season when third in a Ffos Las novice in October. However, well held at Chepstow since and and looks up against it on this chase debut.

Form: 4P94-37

Forecasts

Gars Bar Dine (15/8), Mercian Knight (11/4), Et Moi Alors (11/2), Nessfield Blue (13/2), Talktomenow (15/2), Orchard Thieves (11/1)

None of these look especially solid, but ET MOI ALORS is at least open to improvement as a chaser and makes some appeal off a career-low mark. Gars Bar Dine finally opened his account here last time and is clear second choice ahead of Mercian Knight, who will need to improve for the fitting of blinkers if he's to have a meaningful say in the finish.