Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 19.5s

Fugitif^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: R Hobson| OR: 135

33/1

Hurdles winner who made it 2-3 in this sphere when landing a 4-runner novices' handicap at Newcastle (16.3f) last month. Remains the type to do better again but this a whole lot more demanding.

Form: 713-1P1

Gladiateur Allen^h1³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Chester Williams| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 135

20/1

Fairly useful hurdler who showed improved form to make a winning chase debut in an Exeter novice (19.2f) in December. Jumping has let him down in higher grade since and others make more appeal. Hooded

Form: 3-3814F

L'Homme Presse³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 154

8/13

Lightly-raced 7-y-o who has made a fine start over fences, taking rise in class in his stride when landing Gr. 2 Dipper at Cheltenham (20.6f) last month. Serious claims once more up at Grade 1 level.

Form: 2/16-111

Mister Coffey⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| BF| C

7/1

Progressed into useful hurdler last season and similar form in a couple of starts over fences this winter, second in a novices' handicap at Kempton (20.5f) on Boxing Day. This does demand more, though

Form: 1374-32

Pic D'Orhy^t⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155

11/4

Form: 424-1F1

Forecasts

L'Homme Presse (8/13), Pic D'Orhy (11/4), Mister Coffey (7/1), Gladiateur Allen (20/1), Fugitif (33/1)

A low-mileage 7-y-o, L'HOMME PRESSE has made a fine start to his chasing career, handling the rise in class with aplomb when completing the hat-trick in a Cheltenham Grade 2 last month. With the prospect of even more to come, he gets the nod to maintain his 100% record in this sphere. Pic d'Orhy, who is 2-3 himself over fences this campaign, rates the chief threat.