Chestnut Homes Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 47.37s

Omar Maretti²⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 126

10/3

Dual winning pointer who is 2-2 under Rules following back-to-back hurdles victories at Catterick earlier this year. Likely capable of better still now sent chasing and he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 1F12/11-

Fugitives Drift⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: N J Henderson| OR: 125

10/1

Useful hurdler who made a positive start over fences when making all in maiden at Cartmel in May. However, reappearance effort at Sandown was poor and he's opposable on the back of that.

Form: 0653-1P

Seven No Trumps^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 124

9/4

Promise in 3 starts hurdling and duly improved for the switch to fences when landing a 2½m Lingfield handicap chase in a first-time tongue strap last month. Up 9 lb, but likely he has more to offer.

Form: 343-1

Marajman¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 124

50/1

Ran right up to form when third in a Punchestown handicap hurdle on final start for Willie Mullins in October. However, below par both starts for new yard, beaten a long way on recent chase debut.

Form: 247334

Bobhopeornohope^p1,t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 123| D

11/4

Low-mileage hurdler (successful twice) and took a step forward on the back of a wind op on chasing debut/return when finishing third at Exeter. However, failed to build on that at Sandown next time.

Form: 11P-P34

French Paradoxe^h³⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: J M Quinlan| T: O Signy| OR: 118| D

12/1

Made it third time lucky over hurdles in a Newbury novice (20.5f) last December. However, well held in handicaps next 2 starts and needs to get back on track now making the switch to fences.

Form: 0/36147-

Zyon^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Lee Edwards| T: A West| OR: 112| D

6/1

Fairly useful 21f winner over hurdles for Paul Nicholls, but yet to threaten over fences, for all that he wasn't disgraced at Sandown last time. Others preferred.

Form: 175-553

Forecasts

Seven No Trumps (9/4), Bobhopeornohope (11/4), Omar Maretti (10/3), Zyon (6/1), Fugitives Drift (10/1), French Paradoxe (12/1), Marajman (50/1)

It was hard not to be impressed by the way SEVEN NO TRUMPS made a winning chasing debut/reappearance at Lingfield last month, cruising clear after being produced to lead 2 out. He seems sure to progress and win more races, so gets the nod to make light of a 9 lb rise here. Dual winning pointer Omar Maretti is 2-2 over hurdles so he's feared most on return/chase debut, ahead of Bobhopeornohope.