Read Kevin Blake On attheraces.com Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:06 | Winning time: 4m 14.48s

Jamacho⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 113| CD

2/1

Arrives having gained another success over hurdles at Worcester (2m) last month and showed aptitude for this job when third on sole chase try at Stratford in August. Type to do better in this sphere.

Form: 631331

Cooper's Cross²⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 113

13/2

Point winner who showed ability in pair of bumpers/hurdle starts last season, runner-up in a jumpers' bumper at Newcastle in February. Market should prove a useful guide now sights are set on chasing.

Form: P/14342-

Crack Du Ninian²⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 110| CD

9/2

Point winner who improved in handicap hurdles last term, winning twice (including over C&D). Good second back here final start in March and likely he can make his mark over larger obstacles.

Form: 3/15102-

Raffles Gitane¹⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: H Whittington| OR: 115WS

9/2

Fair hurdler who landed juvenile maiden at Hereford (16.2f) in February. Similar form next 2 starts (third in Grade 3 handicap final start) and she's one to note now chasing on back of wind op.

Form: 45133-

Naizagai^p,t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Max Kendrick| T: F O'Brien| OR: 109| BF| D

11/2

Made winning start over hurdles at Cartmel last season and filled the frame next 6 starts. Feasible to think his Fontwell return was needed in September and cheekpieces refitted ahead of chasing bow.

Form: 24304-5

Miraculous Getaway^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 90

13/2

Limited impact in couple of bumpers for Richard Fahey last year and only one real effort of note over hurdles for present stable. Improvement required for the switch to chasing.

Form: 4/57490

Forecasts

Jamacho (2/1), Crack Du Ninian (9/2), Raffles Gitane (9/2), Naizagai (11/2), Miraculous Getaway (13/2), Cooper's Cross (13/2)

The market should prove a useful guide with a host having their first start over fences but RAFFLES GITANE is a low-mileage hurdles winner who ran creditably when third in a Grade 3 handicap on her final start in the spring and she may well be up to doing better still now chasing. Jamacho, who tasted success over hurdles recently, is feared, along with Cooper's Cross.