Follow WillHillRacing On Twitter Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:48 | Winning time: 4m 0.41s

War Lord¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 135| D

9/2

Mostly useful efforts over hurdles last season and won a heavy-ground handicap at Haydock. However, mark looks high enough so probably needs to improve to make a winning start over fences.

Form: 213047-

Witness Protection¹⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 129| D

2/1

Winning Irish pointer who did well over hurdles last season, winning twice, but low-key start over fences when fourth at Southwell, finding little. Should do better in this sphere. Off 5 months.

Form: 12102-4

Rockstar Ronnie¹⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 128| D

9/4

Successful in his only point and won a couple of novice hurdles last season. Type to make a better chaser so likely player.

Form: 121129-

Il Ridoto^t1¹⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130

5/2

Fairly useful form over hurdles/fences in France and has joined a yard with excellent record with French recruits. Off 6 months. Tongue strap on. Market confidence would look significant.

Form: 6611F2-

Non-Runners

Bannister¹⁹⁶

Weight: 10-11| Age: 4

T: T R George J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Witness Protection (2/1), Rockstar Ronnie (9/4), Il Ridoto (5/2), War Lord (9/2), Bannister (10/1)

Paul Nicholls has an excellent record with French recruits so IL RIDOTO could be up to making a winning start. Irish-point winner Rockstar Ronnie picked up a couple of novice hurdles last season and promises to make an even better chaser, so rates the main threat.