bet365 Frodon Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:58 | Winning time: 5m 17.54s

Kiltealy Briggs^p1,t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 137| D

9/4

Useful hurdler/chaser who landed Haydock novice chase before good third to Bravemansgame in Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton. Cheekpieces on 1st time and not discounted.

Form: 49-4213

Pay The Piper⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 143| BF

10/11

Useful hurdler and quickly even better over fences, scoring at Newcastle before excellent second in handicap chase at Wetherby (19.4f). Holds good claims on form.

Form: 212312

Roi De Dubai¹⁰⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: J C McConnell| OR: 142| D

14/1

Likeable front-runner who has already scored twice over fences. Well-hled last of 3 in novice chase at Cheltenham 105 days ago, so Irish raider needs to bounce back after his break.

Form: 217123

Friend Or Foe^p¹²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 146

9/2

Smart hurdler who made a winning start to his chase career at Uttoxeter in May and posted good third in Warwick handicap chase in September. Has more to offer after another lay-off now up in trip.

Form: 2124-13

Forecasts

Pay The Piper (10/11), Kiltealy Briggs (9/4), Friend Or Foe (9/2), Roi De Dubai (14/1)

A case can be made for all four of these but the most persuasive one is for PAY THE PIPER who holds the edge on form and can bag a third chase success for his in-form yard. Friend Or Foe has been lightly raced but is still highly respected given his good record when fresh and can chase home Ann Hamilton's 7-y-o.