From The Horses Mouth Podcast Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:47 | Winning time: 3m 54.72s

Banbridge⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 143| C| D

11/8

Useful hurdler who went in at the first time of asking over fences in 6-runner novice at Gowran (20f) 42 days ago with plenty in hand. In the picture.

Form: 47110-1

Fusain^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Midgley| T: P Neville| OR: 115| D

150/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser for Henry de Bromhead. Made a sound start for new stable when fourth in 2m Haydock handicap hurdle last December but he came in last of 6 at Wetherby on his return. Back chasing with plenty more required.

Form: 73644-6

Glory And Fortune^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 143| C| D

9/1

Much improved hurdler last season when fifth in the Champion Hurdle. Resumed with a solid fourth in 2m handicap at Ffos Las and brings lots of potential to chasing despite failing to win on his two previous tries back in 2020.

Form: 42154-4

Pentland Hills¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| C| D

4/1

Very smart hurdler in 2020 who returned from a long absence to win on the Flat at Haydock in September. Walked over at Huntingdown on his debut over fences last month and a most interesting contender.

Form: 11529/1

Sole Pretender^h²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Simon Torrens| T: N Lee| OR: 145| D

9/1

Smart Irish hurdler/chaser who scored twice in this sphere in early summer and posted another good effort when third over C&D last month. In the mix.

Form: 112633

Tommy's Oscar³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 156| D

5/2

Progressed into a really smart hurdler last season and jumped well when seeing off an in-form rival in a match at Carlisle on his chase debut last month. Open to considerable improvement and the one to beat.

Form: 11119-1

Non-Runners

Monmiral²¹⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Banbridge (11/8), Monmiral (2/1), Tommy's Oscar (5/2), Pentland Hills (4/1), Sole Pretender (9/1), Glory And Fortune (9/1), Fusain (150/1)

A fascinating novice chase but it's hard to side against TOMMY'S OSCAR who made into a very smart hurdler last term and put in an assured round of jumping when making a winning chase debut at Carlisle last time out. Pentland Hills and Monmiral both bring lots of potential to this sphere too and warrant plenty of respect along with Irish-challenger Banbridge.