From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 3m 55.51s

Captain Tom Cat⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 144| C| D

6/1

Reverted to positive tactics when making it 4-6 over fences this year in 3-runner Rising Star Novices' Chase at Wincanton a week ago, holding Mick Pastor by 2¼l. This demands a fair bit more, though.

Form: 111541

Third Time Lucki²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 150| CD

2/5

Useful winning hurdler who returned after a wind op with most taking debut success over fences in C&D novice 22 days ago, jumping fluently. Exciting prospect, and he's very much the one to beat.

Form: 21464-1

Mick Pastor^h,t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| BF| D

5/1

Already a four-time winner over fences this term, and he wasn't disgraced when second to Captain Tom Cat in Rising Star Novices' Chase at Wincanton (20f) 7 days ago. Considered.

Form: 4-11112

Sebastopol^b1,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: T Lacey| OR: 139| D

25/1

Useful hurdler who shaped as if in need of run when remote second to Mick Pastor in match at Exeter on his chasing bow. Point winner, and should step forward now but this is a tough ask.

Form: 2-22222

Forecasts

Third Time Lucki (2/5), Mick Pastor (5/1), Captain Tom Cat (6/1), Sebastopol (25/1)

THIRD TIME LUCKI created an excellent impression when going in at the first time of asking in this sphere over C&D and he should make it 2-2 over fences here given the fluency he displayed in his jumping. Prolific chase scorer Mick Pastor found Captain Tom Cat just too strong at Wincanton but enjoys a 5 lb pull in the weights with that rival now and can chase home Dan Skelton's exciting prospect.