QuinnBet Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 3m 25.29s

Ain't My Fault^t,v1⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121| D

8/1

Consistent sort who finally opened his account over fences in 2m Hexham novice handicap in October. Faced stiff task at Carlisle a fortnight later and should make more of a splash in a visor here.

Form: 3-2P316

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Little Rory Mac^h¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120| BF| D

16/5

Matched previous best to double hurdles tally at Kelso (2m) on yard debut in March. Stepped up on his comeback run when runner-up at Lingfield 18 days ago and now makes his chase/handicap debut.

Form: 6151-42

Zalvados^p,t⁶⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gregory⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 120| D

6/1

Frustrating sort who had generally been in good heart when last seen back in April 2019. 7 lb lower since then and could feature if ready to roll (had breathing op) after absence back in cheekpieces.

Form: 222728/

Le Grand Fromage^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 114

5/2

Low-mileage 5-y-o who is proving somewhat frustrating, not quite mustering the challenge he promised when fourth at Uttoxeter 4 weeks ago. One to keep an eye on in the market on chase/handicap bow.

Form: P47-334

Calix Delafayette^b1²⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 114| DWS

12/1

Not seen since unseating rider on chase debut at Kelso 9 months ago. Had wind operation in the interim and first-time blinkers go on to try keep his mind on the job.

Form: 1513/3U-

Victory Echo^t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: M A Barnes| OR: 112| BF

4/1

Heavy-ground maiden hurdle winner last winter. Well held in Market Rasen handicap hurdle on reappearance but shaped better than being pulled up suggests over fences at Carlisle 2 months ago.

Form: 155-02P

Palixandre^h1,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 108

16/1

Fortuitous winner of 21f Ludlow novice hurdle for Nicky Henderson in May 2019 but did shape a fair bit better than the distance beaten suggested when fifth on his chase bow last month. Hood applied.

Form: 54/16-5

Forecasts

Le Grand Fromage (5/2), Little Rory Mac (16/5), Victory Echo (4/1), Zalvados (6/1), Ain't My Fault (8/1), Calix Delafayette (12/1), Palixandre (16/1)

Fitness has to be taken on trust but if ZALVADOS retains a similar level of ability he showed back in early-2019, he could be tough to beat with the handicapper seemingly giving him a chance of making a winning reappearance. Little Rory Mac is feared most making his chase/handicap debut after a solid second at Lingfield earlier this month, with top-weight Ain't My Fault another to consider.