Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 4f 127y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 140

Dual hurdles winner last term and stepped up on return/chase bow when second in C&D novice. Lost nothing in defeat when last of 3 in Grade 2 at Wincanton since and respected now handicapping.

Form: 11P-323

Umbrigado^p,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 139

Useful hurdler who has taken well to fences this season, readily landing the odds on second chase start at Fontwell (19.5f, heavy). More to come off what looks a fair opening mark in this sphere.

Form: 560-221

Hold The Note^v³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: M R Channon| OR: 138WS

Quickly made up into a smart novice chaser last term but still winless in this discipline and was again below best at Kempton 5 weeks ago. Becoming well handicapped at least.

Form: 23-4435

Alnadam³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| BF

Point/hurdle winner who made promising start over fences, runner-up at Carlisle on return before going one better at Sandown (20f). Not in same form at Kempton since but type to bounce back.

Form: 441-218

Nestor Park^p³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Bryony Frost| T: B Pauling| OR: 136| BF| D

Useful bumper winner who won twice over hurdles in 2018/19. Lightly raced since but produced sort of performance he'd long promised over fences when just denied at Newbury. Back down in trip.

Form: P/P4-252

Maypole Class⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133| D

Largely progressive over hurdles last term and similar theme over fences, winning last 2 starts, including in good style at Fakenham 6 weeks ago. Player with prospect of more to come.

Form: 12P-011

Thegallantway⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129

Irish-point winner who returned as good as ever to land Bangor match event over hurdles (23f). Promising start over fences when third at Exeter but held back by jumping at Newbury since.

Form: 420-133

Mac Tottie^h,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 127| BF| D

Good strike rate over hurdles (4-8) and off the mark at fourth attempt over fences in handicap at Market Rasen (21.4f), jumping well. Good second in similar event there since and not taken lightly.

Form: 8/P-8P12

High Up In The Air¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 120| D

Form: 57-6111

Forecasts

Umbrigado (4/1), Alnadam (5/1), Nestor Park (11/2), Maypole Class (6/1), Lieutenant Rocco (6/1), High Up In The Air (7/1), Hold The Note (8/1), Thegallantway (12/1), Mac Tottie (14/1)

This looks competitive but UMBRIGADO has already matched his useful hurdles form in this sphere and should have more to offer now handicapping, so shades the vote. High Up In The Air is an obvious threat having completed the hat-trick with the minimum of fuss at Plumpton, while Nestor Park pulled a long way clear of the rest when just edged out at Newbury.