Poundland Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 53.57s

Amarillo Sky^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 143| D

22/1

Done little wrong since going chasing, gaining second small-field victory in emphatic fashion at Newbury (16.4f) in February. Unable to quite back that improvement up in the Grand Annual last month and likely he will come up short on this occasion.

Form: 412F15

Edwardstone²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 161| C| D

4/7

A thoroughly likeable sort who took his winning sequence to 5 when landing the Arkle (his second win at Grade 1 level) at Cheltenham last month. Timeform's joint top-rated British novice chaser this season, he looks the one they all have to beat.

Form: B11111

For Pleasure²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 137| D

50/1

Front runner who opened chase account in 3-runner Plumpton novice (17f) in December. However he's failed to complete in 2 out of his last 3 starts since, well beaten having been unable to dominate in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month. Looks out of his depth.

Form: F31F4P

Gentleman De Mee^h,t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| D

7/2

Winning hurdler who continues to progress as a chaser, seeing off his only serious rival with the minimum of fuss at Thurles in February before following up in bloodless fashion in Grade 3 at Navan 5 weeks ago. Likely to improve further, he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 07-5211

Mick Pastor^t¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145| D

40/1

Already a four-time winner over fences this term but has rather been found wanting on his last 2 starts, unable to live with Third Time Lucki in Grade 2 at Cheltenham back in November. Will undoubtedly find this tougher.

Form: 111123

Third Time Lucki⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 153| D

9/2

Third chase success when easily taking a Doncaster Grade 2 in January but he finished behind Edwardstone in Henry VIII at Sandown and Kingmaker at Warwick either side of that.

Form: 4-11312

Non-Runners

Fugitif²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: R Hobson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Edwardstone (4/7), Gentleman De Mee (7/2), Third Time Lucki (9/2), Amarillo Sky (22/1), Mick Pastor (40/1), For Pleasure (50/1), Fugitif (200/1)

Whilst he might not be at the level of last year's winner Shishkin, EDWARDSTONE is clearly still a high-class novice and he gets the verdict to extend his winning sequence to 6 and crown a full campaign with a third success at Grade 1 level. The obvious threat to the selection is Irish-raider Gentleman de Mee, who doubled his tally over fences in bloodless fashion at Navan last month and is open to further progress in this sphere. Third Time Lucki looks best of the rest.