squareintheair.com Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 3m 51.77s

Fidelio Vallis¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| BF| D

5/2

Likeable type who has progressed well over fences, completing 4-timer at Warwick in May. Similar form when runner-up in listed novice at Chepstow (19.5f) on return and drop back in trip a plus now.

Form: 211-112

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Sir Tivo^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: G Hanmer| OR: 122| D

50/1

Had a fine summer over fences, registering fourth success for this yard at Warwick (16.2f) in September. Clearly in rude health but no easy task on back in novice company on these terms.

Form: 112121

Any News²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 141| BF

3/1

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner last autumn. Sixth in Swinton Hurdle in May and plenty of promise to glean from his Warwick chase debut second last month. Type to progress from that and big player here.

Form: 12UP-62

Buddy Rich^t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 132

7/1

Fairly useful hurdles winner who has displayed useful form in filling runners-up spot all 3 starts in maiden chase contests at 17f in recent months. No reason why he won't give another good account.

Form: 1-15222

Third Time Lucki¹⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 143| BF| DWS

11/8

Fourth in Champion Bumper in 2020 and quickly developed in to a useful hurdler last term, winning 3 times prior to finishing sixth in County Hurdle. Below par at Aintree but interesting now chasing.

Form: 121464-

Forecasts

Third Time Lucki (11/8), Fidelio Vallis (5/2), Any News (3/1), Buddy Rich (7/1), Sir Tivo (50/1)

A very interesting novice chase with the narrow vote in favour of ANY NEWS. He shaped with plenty of promise without truly being seen to best effect when runner-up in a novices' handicap at Warwick last month, and with the prospect of more to come, he can come out on top. The likeable Fidelio Vallis, returned to 2m, and Third Time Lucki, now chasing/on back of a wind op, head the dangers.