SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 9.61s

Erne River⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 144

11/4

Point winner who is proving most progressive under Rules, successful twice over hurdles prior to making a winning chase debut in a Doncaster novices' handicap in January. Took another step forward to land a Warwick novice (21.3f) latest and likely there is even more to come.

Form: 1/31-111

Millers Bank⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 147| D

7/1

Smart hurdler who won easily on chase debut at Huntingdon (19.8f) in October and dispelled pair of non-completions when 1 length second to Pic D'orhy in Grade 2 Pendil at Kempton in February. Can give a good account but he meets that rival on 5 lb worse terms here.

Form: 13-1UU2

Pic D'Orhy^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154| D

7/2

Smart hurdler and even better form over fences, matching previous best when running out a determined winner of the Grade 2 Pendil novices' at Kempton (20.5f) in February. Kept fresh since and he has to merit serious consideration.

Form: 4-1F131

The Widdow Maker^h,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 140

28/1

Useful handicap hurdler who took form up a notch when making winning chase debut in an Exeter novice (19.2f, heavy) in February, jumping soundly and drawing clear. Similar form when second on handicap debut at Chepstow since but he'll undoubtedly find this tougher.

Form: 0-15612

War Lord²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 149

9/2

Useful hurdler (ran well in Grade 3 handicap here 12 months ago) and much-improved over fences, gaining third victory in a Lingfield novice (2m) in January prior to a solid fourth behind Edwardstone in the Arkle. Can figure again stepping back up in trip.

Form: 7-11214

Gin On Lime^t¹⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148| D

5/2

6-y-o mare whose form took off over fences during second half of last year, gaining fourth success in Tipperary Grade 3 in October. Looked held (left alone 2 out) when My Drogo fell at Cheltenham in November but kept fresh since and she's worth a look in receipt of weight all round.

Form: 111211

Non-Runners

Jacamar⁵

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: M F Harris J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Gin On Lime (5/2), Erne River (11/4), Pic D'Orhy (7/2), War Lord (9/2), Millers Bank (7/1), The Widdow Maker (28/1), Jacamar (50/1)

PIC D'ORHY has essentially made a very positive start over fences, quickly dispelling his Scilly Isles disappointment at Sandown when running out a good winner of the Grade 2 Pendil at Kempton in February. He's been kept fresh since and this has presumably been the target for a while, so he earns the vote. Gin On Lime, back from a break, is next best, ahead of Arkle-fourth War Lord, whilst Erne River is a 7-y-o on the up and can't be dismissed either.