Garth Hunt Pony Club Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 12.56s

Thyme White⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142

1/1

Useful handicap hurdler who quickly put his Ascot aberration behind him when landing Doncaster novices' handicap chase (16.3f) in December, impressively. Looks one to keep on the right side of.

Form: 907-2U1

Golden Boy Grey⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 131| BF

11/4

Second small-field handicap success at Huntingdon last month and creditable second at Kempton last week. Should give another good account.

Form: 7-21212

Zurekin^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 129| D

12/1

Useful hurdler but not as good over fences, fourth of 7 in minor event chase (28/10) at Compiegne (18.9f, soft) 19 days ago.

Form: 366764

Dino Velvet²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 127| D

14/1

Four-time hurdle winner who extended his run of small-field placings when second in 4-runner handicap chase at Doncaster (19.1f, good to soft) in November. Well held at Kelso 3 months later but might have needed the run.

Form: 223224

Mahler's Promise¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 122| D

5/1

Mixed record over hurdles but cemented positive start over fences when successful at Newton Abbot (21f) in June. Similar form when second next 2 starts seems to have gone off the boil.

Form: 212235

Forecasts

Thyme White (1/1), Golden Boy Grey (11/4), Mahler's Promise (5/1), Zurekin (12/1), Dino Velvet (14/1)

THYME WHITE looked a class apart when scoring with plenty in hand on his third chase start at Doncaster just after Christmas and is taken to follow up off 8 lb higher. Golden Boy Grey continues to hold his form very well and can follow the selection home.