Coral Pendil Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 6.70s

Minella Drama^h³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 147| D

7/4

Has matched his smart hurdling form over fences, winning 2½m Haydock Grade 2 latest. Should give a good account but will likely need to improve again to defy his penalty.

Form: 12-1251

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Pic D'Orhy^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154| D

3/1

Smart hurdler and even better form over fences when landing Ascot Grade 2 novice in December. Disappointed when remote third in Scilly Isles at Sandown since but good shout if bouncing back.

Form: 24-1F13

Goa Lil⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 123| C| D

22/1

Quite a useful handicap hurdler/chaser but he looks to be biting off a bit more than he can chew in this company.

Form: 123143

Millers Bank⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 147| C| DWS

5/2

Smart hurdler who won easily on chase debut. Set to follow up when unseating 2 out in Grade 2 at Newbury in November but looked in trouble when suffering similar fate at Cheltenham since. Had wind op.

Form: 213-1UU

Fantastic Lady¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| D

6/1

Fairly useful winning hurdler who has taken well to fences with ready handicap wins at Warwick and Bangor in recent weeks. More to come and can make her mark at higher level.

Form: F1-5611

Forecasts

Minella Drama (7/4), Millers Bank (5/2), Pic D'Orhy (3/1), Fantastic Lady (6/1), Goa Lil (22/1)

Paul Nicholls has an excellent record in this so PIC D'ORHY is taken to quickly shrug off a lesser run at Sandown and land a second Grade 2 of the winter. Fantastic Lady has improved in leaps and bounds in recent weeks and can give the selection most to do ahead of Minella Drama.