Virgin Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 5m 32.55s

Grand Voyage²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 119

5/4

Progressive over hurdles, winning last 2 starts at Kelso in December. Made an encouraging start to his chase career when close second of 3 in novice at Carlisle on return and looks on a good mark switched to a handicap.

Form: 33211-2

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Lord Roco^p²⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Ewart| OR: 117| D

9/1

Fairly useful form over hurdles, good fourth in handicap here final start. Off 8 months. Makes chase debut.

Form: 652154-

Stolen Money²⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 116| C

12/1

Improved performer last season, winning all 3 starts (handicap hurdles). Bred to make a chaser so respected ahead of debut in this sphere.

Form: 242/111-

Forpaddytheplumber^p²³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115

33/1

Placed in Irish points and made a successful debut under Rules in bumper at Haydock. Left previous hurdling efforts well behind fitted in this headgear when making all in Carlisle maiden in March. Makes handicap/chase debut.

Form: 3/21541-

Benack²⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Ewart| OR: 110WS

11/2

Third in a point and stepped up on first 2 starts over hurdles when fourth in maiden here (20.4f) in February. Not disgraced on handicap bow here following month and now goes chasing after 8 months off.

Form: 3/56445-

Travail D'Orfevre^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 107| C

9/2

Fairly useful bumper winner who opened hurdles account in a first-time tongue strap (retained) at Kelso (2¼m, good to soft) in April. Improved further sent chasing when third of 10 in handicap there on return and open to further improvement.

Form: 462P1-3

Straight Swap¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: D R Fox| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 106| D

6/1

Strong at the finish down in trip when landing 4-runner handicap chase at Hexham on return. That wasn't a deep race, however, and only fifth here (3m) next time.

Form: 652P-15

Forecasts

Grand Voyage (5/4), Travail D'Orfevre (9/2), Benack (11/2), Straight Swap (6/1), Lord Roco (9/1), Stolen Money (12/1), Forpaddytheplumber (33/1)

The progressive GRAND VOYAGE made a very encouraging start over fences when a close second at Carlisle on return and is well up to wining a race like this. Travail d'Orfevre has a similar profile to the selection so rates the main threat, while Stolen Money makes the most appeal of the chasing debutants.