Kalahari King Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 5.5s

Minella Drama^h²⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 143

11/10

Smart hurdler who signed off last term with good second to My Drogo in Mersey Novices' Hurdle fat Aintree (20f) in April. Goes chasing on his return and warrants lots of respect.

Form: 211212-

Fast Buck²⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| D

12/1

Very useful form when runner-up in Doncaster novice handicap chase for Paul Nicholls but fell on both his other starts over fences last term. Big shout on return for his new yard.

Form: 258/F2F-

Fransham²⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 140| D

16/1

Very useful winning hurdler but off since taking heavy fall in Aintree handicap in the spring. Can't be discounted though now sent over fences on his comeback run.

Form: 11327F-

Flic Ou Voyou²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136| D

5/2

Three-time hurdle winner who should be sharper for his reappearance fifth at Chepstow (16f) 20 days ago. Very much a chaser on looks, so he's an interesting prospect for a yard among the winners.

Form: 32532-5

Magic Dancer^p,t⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 121| D

9/2

Made a winning return on his fencing bow in 10-runner handicap chase at Worcester (16.5f, heavy) 9 days ago. Saddles 7 lb penalty and also 4 lb out of the handicap but she's still not taken lightly.

Form: 58322-1

Forecasts

Minella Drama (11/10), Flic Ou Voyou (5/2), Magic Dancer (9/2), Fast Buck (12/1), Fransham (16/1)

All five can be given a chance, but Paul Nicholls has his string in fine nick so FLIC OU VOYOU is fancied to go in at the first time of asking over fences given he looks the type to improve in this sphere and will strip fitter for a recent spin over hurdles. Former stablemate Fast Buck is feared most on his debut for Dan Skelton, while Minella Drama is another chasing debutant well in the mix.