Visit attheraces.com Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 32.28s

Mahler's Promise¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 122

3/1

Bit of mixed record over hurdles but did make promising start to his chase career when second of 5 at Worcester (2m, good) 16 days ago. Back up in trip. Open to improvement and can win off this mark.

Form: 7FP0-52

Rocheston²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 118

11/2

Chepstow maiden hurdle winner last November. Let go by that yard after pulling up at Wincanton in February but he did offer a bit switched to fences for new yard when fourth at Ffos Las 23 days ago.

Form: 3/714P-4

Portentoso^b⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Miss Thomosina Eyston⁽⁷⁾| T: S Holdsworth| OR: 114

13/2

Ended his time in France with a claiming chase success at Orleans 4 weeks ago. Can be competitive off this sort of mark based on his French form.

Form: 15550-3

Whiskey Lullaby^t⁶⁹

11/4

Drew a blank over hurdles last season but top yard sticks with her and no surprise to see her fare better now switching to fences (runner-up in sole point). Has also had wind surgery.

Form: 238424-

Old Harry Rocks^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 98| BF| CD

5/2

Landed a gamble off reduced mark in C&D handicap in March. Has posted a couple of respectable efforts since but remains 8 lb above that successful mark.

Form: 3/781-23

Forecasts

Old Harry Rocks (5/2), Whiskey Lullaby (11/4), Mahler's Promise (3/1), Rocheston (11/2), Portentoso (13/2)

MAHLER'S PROMISE gets the nod to build on a pleasing start to his chase career at Worcester recently, although strong market support for the Paul Nicholls-trained Whiskey Lullaby, who now goes chasing after wind surgery, would put a slightly different slant on things.