Virgin Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 6m 13.5s

Minella Encore⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 128| BF| DWS

10/3

Fairly useful hurdles winner who stepped up on his chase debut effort when second at Kelso (23.5f, heavy) in December. Undergone a wind op since.

Form: 32-1242

Eva's Oskar²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 128| D

6/1

Fairly useful hurdle winner and has run to a similar level when fourth in 3m novices on both completed starts over fences. Ought to be competitive off this mark now moving into a handicap.

Form: 613-4F4

Ocean Cove^p⁶⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 127| DWS

5/1

Showed useful form in a light campaign over fences last term. Yet to make the same impact this time so needs a wind op since last seen in December to help him get back on track.

Form: 42P-6P5

Igor⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 127

13/2

Ascot maiden hurdle winner last winter. Still close up when falling 2 out on Sandown chase debut/return in November but well beaten when unseating 3 out back there a month later. Given time since.

Form: 6640-FU

Glenduff¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 125

13/2

Fairly useful winning novice hurdler last season. Off 11 months, held back by inexperience when remote fifth of 6 on Musselburgh chase debut 18 days ago. Ought to do better with that run behind him.

Form: 24/163-5

The Late Legend^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: T H Weston| OR: 120| CD

4/1

On a roll, landing a fifth win in his last 7 starts when making all over C&D last month, despite jumping out to his right in the latter stages. Put up a further 8 lb but still much respected.

Form: 141121

Gleno³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 119| D

13/2

Drew a blank over fences last term but improved efforts after wind surgery when winning 3m novice handicaps at Lingfield and Fakenham in autumn. Winning run came to an end at Wincanton latest, though.

Form: 243-115

Forecasts

Minella Encore (10/3), The Late Legend (4/1), Ocean Cove (5/1), Eva's Oskar (6/1), Gleno (13/2), Glenduff (13/2), Igor (13/2)

THE LATE LEGEND has finished out of the first 2 only once in 9 outings this term, including a C&D win last time, and may be able to defy the handicapper again. Eva's Oskar has come up against some good opposition when fourth on both completed starts over fences and should find life a bit easier now moving into a handicap. Glenduff could leave his opening chase effort behind and is also respected.