Virgin Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 6m 39.6s

Dr Kananga^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 135| D

6/5

Point winner who arrives firmly on the up, impressively making all in 26f Chepstow handicap before following up with an even bigger performance at Sandown 3 weeks ago. Sure to make another bold bid.

Form: 3-12511

Eva's Oskar^v1³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 132| D

12/1

Returned better than ever when winning at Chepstow and backed that up with seconds at Ascot /Cheltenham. Stiff task in Welsh National next time but disappointed there since. Headgear on.

Form: 4-122P4

Morning Spirit⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131| D

11/4

Winning hurdler who ran to a useful level second time up over fences when second in 17-runner contest over this C&D 85 days ago, upsides and going best when very slow last. Should remain competitive.

Form: 135-2F2

El Paso Wood^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 129| D

12/1

Notched up 4-timer in French Provinces last year and gained first win for current yard at Wincanton (26.7f). Collared only close home there next time and might have found latest run coming too soon.

Form: U54123

New Age Dawning^t⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 123| C| D

15/2

Winner of a bumper/novice hurdle in 2019. Pulled up on chase/handicap bow after a 33-month absence here in December but resumed winning ways in similar 3-runner event at Ffos Las following month.

Form: 2121/P1

Young Offender^v1²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 117

15/2

Hurdles winner who made winning chase debut at Chepstow (26f) on return, forging clear. Third at Leicester 3 weeks ago though didn't shape all that well. Another change of headgear.

Form: 42-1633

Non-Runners

Valsheda²⁸

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Dr Kananga (6/5), Morning Spirit (11/4), Valsheda (9/2), Young Offender (15/2), New Age Dawning (15/2), Eva's Oskar (12/1), El Paso Wood (12/1)

DR KANANGA is most progressive and the way he won at Sandown 3 weeks ago suggests he can defy a 10 lb rise and complete the hat-trick. Morning Spirit might well have won his second chase start at this C&D in December had things panned out differently late on so rates the main threat ahead of New Age Dawning, who proved all the better for his belated comeback when scoring at Ffos Las.