Cheltenham Gold At timeform.com Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 23.0s

Protektorat^h⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 152| BF

1/2

Useful hurdler who has made excellent start chasing, impressive winner at Carlisle and Cheltenham before runner-up in Dipper Chase at Wincanton (2m4f). Should stay this longer trip, and one to beat.

Form: 130-112

Empire Steel⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 135| BF

4/1

Promising type who made winning chase debut at Ayr (20.5f, heavy) in October and did little wrong in defeat upped in trip there a month later. Remains with potential but this is no easy ask.

Form: 3313-12

Port Of Mars^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 140

9/2

Has progressed with each of his three runs over fences and opened account in 4-runner novice at Hereford (3m1f) last month. Has more to offer so not taken lightly.

Form: 213-321

Forecasts

Protektorat (1/2), Empire Steel (4/1), Port Of Mars (9/2)

Only three runners but still a cracking novice chase in which PROTEKTORAT is fancied to get back to winning ways and make it 3-4 over fences after losing his unbeaten record when second in the Dipper. Port of Mars is very much on the up so should ensure Dan Skelton's bold-jumping front-runner doesn't get things all his own way, with Empire Steel not discounted either.