Virgin Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 51.67s

Zoffee¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 131| BF

11/2

Didn't need to improve to land Exeter maiden chase in October. Not disgraced when fourth on handicap debut at Newbury in November but ruined his chance with a blunder on return a fortnight ago.

Form: 1P-214P

Havana Hermano^p³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 127| D

15/2

Fairly useful winner at Uttoxeter and creditable efforts in defeats since. Did well considering he wasn't as well positioned as the pair who beat him in a jumpers bumper last time so he's shortlisted.

Form: P15263

Doukarov^h¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: S Curran| OR: 125| D

9/4

Gained first win over fences at Taunton (2m) in November and got back on the up with quite an impressive display when making all at Leicester 18 days ago, merely shaken up to assert. More to come.

Form: 331441

Eskendash¹⁵⁷

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler who achieved a similar level of form without winning over fences last season. Shaped better than the result on return at Wetherby in October. Has left Pam Sly/had wind op since.

Form: 5F237-5

Onthefrontfoot^h⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 121| BF| D

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser. Placed in a couple of jumpers bumpers but unable to land the odds in a similar event 40 days ago, getting competitive further out than ideal. Respected back over fences.

Form: 4-32324

Peterborough¹²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: James Bowen| T: Evan Williams| OR: 120| D

18/1

Has returned with a bang in handicap chases this term, getting the hat-trick up at Sedgefield (extended 2m) in September. Let down by jumping at Taunton when last seen so not ruled out after a break.

Form: F5-1114

Fairway Freddy¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 120| CD

4/1

Scored at this track back in October and was found a weak race to get back to winning ways after 6 weeks off at Plumpton 18 days ago. This much tougher but should run his race.

Form: 123451

Forecasts

Doukarov (9/4), Fairway Freddy (4/1), Zoffee (11/2), Onthefrontfoot (6/1), Eskendash (6/1), Havana Hermano (15/2), Peterborough (18/1)

Impossible to rule out any of these but preference is for HAVANA HERMANO, who shaped well when third in a jumpers bumper at this course last month and can get back to winning ways for Stuart Edmunds. Doukarov got back on the up with an impressive front-running display to win at Leicester earlier this month and he's feared most if in the same mood, ahead of Zoffee.