Follow At The Races On Twitter Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 37.20s

Empire De Maulde^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-3| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 122| C| D

11/4

Much improved over fences when landing 20f Hexham handicap on return in September and back to form under rider when just failing at Doncaster a fortnight ago. Should go well again.

Form: 1/76-172

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Dundrum Wood^p1⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr James King⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 117| BF

4/1

Hurdles winner who made a discouraging debut in this sphere after 7 months off at Kelso (23.4f), expensive for his owner coming out of points and looking similar for backers now. Cheekpieces go on.

Form: 3/2125-4

Archie Brown¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 113

20/1

Fairly useful 20f hurdles winner for Paul Nicholls last season. Poor runs off stiff-looking mark in handicaps for new yard this term and work to do on chase debut.

Form: 3/513-70

Maid O'Malley³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 108| D

9/4

Winning pointer and fair form under Rules, staying on well for second in Cartmel mares' handicap hurdle last month. Return to this trip back chasing will suit and she can figure.

Form: 1/283-32

Shaughnessy^p³¹⁴

9/2

Bumper winner in 2018 for Oliver Sherwood but never really threatened to strike over jumps for the yard and sold £14,000 in July. Has had a wind op.

Form: 343/34P-

Central Flame²²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Walton| OR: 101| D

9/1

Pretty useful in his prime. Shaped as if retaining some ability after 17 months off at Hexham 3 weeks ago and this longer trip will suit but suspect he'll find easier openings.

Form: 333/PP-5

Forecasts

Maid O'Malley (9/4), Empire De Maulde (11/4), Dundrum Wood (4/1), Shaughnessy (9/2), Central Flame (9/1), Archie Brown (20/1)

MAID O'MALLEY has returned in good form and this point winner could be set to strike back over fences now. Empire de Maulde just failed at Doncaster last time and should go well again.