Betting Better With Sky Bet Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:16 | Winning time: 4m 51.52s

Tupelo Mississippi^p⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 122

11/2

Dual bumper/maiden hurdle winner who showed aptitude for chasing when runner-up in a match at Carlisle (20f) in November. Beaten when pulled up at Newcastle since but bounce back not ruled out.

Form: 1333-2P

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

O Connell Street^p,t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: K Frost| OR: 120

33/1

Fairly useful ex-Irish chaser for Gordon Elliott who stopped quickly when pulled up on yard debut at Musselburgh (20.3f) 25 days ago. Watching brief advised on the back of that.

Form: 21553P

Ahead Of The Field^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 118

3/1

Fair hurdle winner in Ireland who defied a 5-lb lower mark over fences for present yard at Southwell (20.4f) in December. Not in same form back there 25 days ago but bounce back not ruled out.

Form: P21-817

Avoid De Master⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: S Corbett| OR: 111

11/2

Fair handicap hurdler for Fergal O'Brien and similar form over fences for this yard, off the mark in this sphere at Newcastle (16.3f) last month. Possibilities from 3 lb higher mark.

Form: 7-46221

Nocte Volatus^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Dylan Kitts⁽¹⁰⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 111| BF| D

3/1

Improved markedly for switch to chasing, making all to rout 6-rivals at Catterick (19.2f) in December. Blotted copybook by running out at the first at Hereford but obvious claims if keeping straight.

Form: 24P-F1R

Full Of Surprises⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 107

5/2

Hurdles winner back in 2019 who has largely struggled to make an impact since. However, definite encouragement to glean from last month's second over fences at Catterick. Claims if building on that.

Form: 50/56-42

Forecasts

Full Of Surprises (5/2), Nocte Volatus (3/1), Ahead Of The Field (3/1), Avoid De Master (11/2), Tupelo Mississippi (11/2), O Connell Street (33/1)

A facile winner at Catterick over Christmas, NOCTE VOLATUS blotted his copybook by running out at the first at Hereford at the start of the month. He clearly needs keeping in check but the manner of his previous victory suggests he's worth another chance and he gets the nod. Newcastle-scorer Avoid de Master and low-mileage Full of Surprises head up the dangers.