Winter Breaks At Western House Hotel Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:32 | Winning time: 5m 11.1s

Dorking Boy^h,t²²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-3| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 122| D

3/1

Scored over hurdles at Doncaster in January but signed off with modest eighth here 7 months ago. Reverts to fences for his return and weighted to go well if at his best.

Form: 9/27818-

If Not For Dylan¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Coltherd| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 114

13/2

Lightly-raced maiden who wasn't disgraced on just his second run over fences when fourth of 5 in 2m handicap at Carlisle 11 days ago. Needs a bit more at these weights now stepping up in trip.

Form: 67-2434

Bollingerandkrug¹⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 111

11/4

Made it 2-5 over hurdles when getting up late in 18f handicap at Kelso in April. Goes straight over fences for his return with this longer trip likely to be in his favour. Interesting prospect.

Form: 3/45171-

Animore¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 111| D

11/8

7/4, opened her account over fences at the fourth attempt in 20f handicap at Hexham 16 days ago, making all and jumping soundly. Up 5 lb but likely she has more to offer, so she's well in the mix.

Form: 34-6321

Non-Runners

Better Getalong¹⁴¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: N G Richards J: Danny McMenamin

Upandatit¹⁶⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: N W Alexander J: Henry Brooke

Destiny Is All⁴⁶⁶

Weight: 10-0| Age: 7

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: S Mulqueen

Forecasts

Animore (11/8), Bollingerandkrug (11/4), Dorking Boy (3/1), If Not For Dylan (13/2), Better Getalong (7/1), Destiny Is All (7/1), Upandatit (10/1)

A case can be made for most of these, but BOLLINGERANDKRUG was a dual hurdle winner last term and is taken to go in at the first time of asking over fences for his in-form yard with this return to a longer trip a plus too. Animore is a likeable sort and she rates a big threat on the back of her recent Hexham success, while the reappearing Dorking Boy is also weighted to have a say.