Salt Therapy Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 12.62s

Mahler's Promise³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 119| D

9/2

Largely struggled since landing a Newbury maiden hurdle in December 2019, but there were positives to take from his latest effort at Kempton (21f, good) and on a good mark for this chase debut.

Form: 8/7FP0-5

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Nikap^h¹²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 118| D

12/1

Fair 2m hurdle winner who produced her best effort yet in this sphere when runner-up at Warwick in November. However, below par back hurdling when last seen in February and she looks vulnerable.

Form: 3/323F5-

El Borracho^t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 111| D

11/4

Impressive when scoing twice over hurdles at Southwell last summer. Solid second following a wind op at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good) recently and claims if taking to fences at the first attempt.

Form: 54454-2

Rock On Tiger⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly| OR: 106

15/2

Fair maiden hurdler, but bit to proving having been pulled up the last twice, including on chase debut at Ludlow when last seen in March (reportedly broke a blood vessel).

Form: 2435PP-

Shareef Star^v²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 104| CD

5/4

Failed to strike from 8 attempts over hurdles, but has looked good switched to fences the last twice, bagging handicaps over this C&D and at Fontwell. Remains open to improvement in this sphere.

Form: 9372-11

Non-Runners

Sarasota Star¹⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 5

T: M Keighley J: James Best

Forecasts

Shareef Star (5/4), El Borracho (11/4), Mahler's Promise (9/2), Sarasota Star (7/1), Rock On Tiger (15/2), Nikap (12/1)

It's fair to say that things haven't gone to plan for MAHLER'S PROMISE subsequent to his Newbury maiden hurdle success, but he took a step back in the right direction at Kempton last month and is of strong interest now switched to fences off a reduced mark. Shareef Star, who is 2-2 in this sphere, is the obvious danger, but chase debutants Sarasota Star and El Borracho also merit respect.