Pertemps Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 4m 10.90s

Galop De Chasse²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 119| BF| D

10/3

Winning hurdler in France and won handicap chase at Lingfield on yard/bow return, forging clear after taking a while to hit top gear. Ran no sort of race at Chepstow since but worth another chance.

Form: 45F6-1P

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Royal Ruby¹⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 117| BF| D

11/4

Fair winning hurdler who defied an 18-month absence in some style on chase debut at Stratford in July. Mixed round of jumping when third there following month. Off since but can go well fresh.

Form: 3557/13

Chaptal^p1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 116

9/1

Ex-French winning hurdler but went with little encouragement both starts for this yard. Headgear re-fitted.

Form: 212-745

Baracalu⁶⁹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 116| D

40/1

Won twice at a lowly level over hurdles during 2019/20, but beaten a long way in a Wetherby handicap when last seen 23 months ago and probably best watched on this chase debut.

Form: 331138/

Only Money¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 116| CD

15/8

Free-going sort who scored impressively over fences at Huntingdon (16.5f) in May. Back to that level when winning 5-runner handicap at Leicester 16 days ago, hold-up tactics back in use. Big player.

Form: 55-1421

Raffles Gitane³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁷⁾| T: H Whittington| OR: 109| D

7/1

Won juvenile maiden at Hereford a year ago. Similar form next 3 starts, including when fourth on chase bow at Sedgefield on return. Disappointed here on Boxing Day and back down in trip now.

Form: 5133-4P

Forecasts

Only Money (15/8), Royal Ruby (11/4), Galop De Chasse (10/3), Raffles Gitane (7/1), Chaptal (9/1), Baracalu (40/1)

ROYAL RUBY improved his form over fences in the summer despite some mixed rounds of jumping so may still have more to offer in this sphere on his return from a break. Only Money was back to his best when a ready winner at Leicester earlier this month so is feared most.