Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 31.91s

Does He Know⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 147| BF| D

9/2

Progressive hurdler last term and has taken well to fences, winning twice prior to chasing home Threeunderthrufive (winner twice again since) at Cheltenham (24.4f, good). Major player.

Form: R85-112

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Annual Invictus^p1⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 143| D

5/1

Winner of 2 of his first 3 starts over fences and wasn't beaten far when last of 3 in a good 19.8f Plumpton novice last time. Cheekpieces added and definite chance if his stamina passes the test.

Form: 4-211P3

Corach Rambler^t1³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 140| D

16/5

Progressive novice, successful at Aintree and Cheltenham before finding the step up to 29.2f too much of a test in a valuable Warwick handicap. Tongue strap enlisted and claims back down in trip here.

Form: 61-3114

Doyen Breed^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 142| D

4/1

Made good strides over hurdles last term and game winner on chase debut at Hexham in November. Did little wrong when runner-up in a Warwick Grade 2 (3m, soft) last month and he needs considering.

Form: 25-2122

Fern Hill⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR: 136| BF

13/2

Won twice over hurdles last term and has found just one too good on each of his 2 starts since switched to fences, latterly in a good quality Newbury novices' handicap (22.4f, soft). This is tougher.

Form: 311P-22

J'Ai Froid^v⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Max Kendrick| T: L Morgan| OR: 140| CD

5/1

Enjoyed a highly productive hurdles campaign last term. Safely held in races won by Doyen Breed and Corach Rambler over fences at the end of last year but remains capable of better in this sphere.

Form: 1112-35

Forecasts

Corach Rambler (16/5), Doyen Breed (4/1), Does He Know (9/2), Annual Invictus (5/1), J'Ai Froid (5/1), Fern Hill (13/2)

On a line through Paul Nicholls' Threeunderthrufive, DOYEN BREED is closely matched with Does He Know and, at the likely prices, Sandy Thomson's novice is an appealing alternative to the probable favourite. The selection's latest effort was his best yet and a reproduction of that would give him every chance. Does He Know is an obvious threat, but Corach Rambler and Annual Invictus are also feared.