Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 55.69s

Elvis Mail²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 146| D

18/1

Useful hurdler and has quickly made into an even better chaser, winning at Ayr and finishing a good second on his last 2 starts, including when rallying at Carlisle just under 3 weeks ago.

Form: 81-1422

Funambule Sivola¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 149| D

14/1

Has taken really well to chasing, notching a fourth win from just 6 starts when making all in 3-runner handicap chase at Ascot (16.8f) 13 days ago. Could give Shishkin most to think about.

Form: 151211

Gumball⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 150| D

16/1

Smart hurdler who quickly reached a similar level over fences in autumn, set to land a Cheltenham Grade 2 when falling 2 out. Not so good at Kempton over Christmas and ran poorly back hurdling since.

Form: 0-31F40

Longhouse Sale^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 144| D

28/1

Terrific strike rate, winning 10 of his 15 starts overall. Lost his unbeaten record over fences at Chepstow back in October and probably needed run when pulled up at Sandown last month. More needed.

Form: 5-1113P

Shishkin²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 169| D

1/8

Won the Supreme last year and has quickly made up into Timeform's highest-rated novice chaser, easily winning all 4 starts this term, including Arkle at Cheltenham last month. Impossible to oppose.

Form: 11-1111

Forecasts

Shishkin (1/8), Funambule Sivola (14/1), Gumball (16/1), Elvis Mail (18/1), Longhouse Sale (28/1)

This Grade 1 should prove little more than a formality for the outstanding SHISHKIN, who sauntered clear in the Sporting Life Arkle at The Cheltenham Festival last month, and Timeform's highest-rated novice chaser will face bigger challenges ahead next season. Venetia Williams' Funambule Sivola narrowly shades the forecast spot ahead of Gumball.