Vickers.Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 6m 17.8s

First Lord De Cuet^p,t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 132| D

3/1

Deservedly got his head in front in 21.4f handicap hurdle at Wincanton in February 2021 and having been given a chance by the handicapper, shaped as if as good as ever after 19 months off when runner-up at Ffos Las (20.9f, heavy) last month. Task is to back that up here.

Form: 210/22-2

Bellatrixsa²⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 131

4/1

6-y-o who boasted a progressive profile over hurdles (successful 4 times) and justified good support when successful on the Flat at Chester (18.6f) when last seen in May. Has to be worth a look now attentions switched to chasing.

Form: 221142-

Monbeg Genius^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| CD

5/4

Point winner who tasted success twice in maiden/novice hurdles last term (at up to 23.6f). Showed benefit of reappearance to get off the mark over fences at Newcastle (23.4f, good to soft) last month, and with further progress on the cards, he has to be taken seriously.

Form: 1431-41

Skandiburg^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Charlotte Fuller| OR: 123| D

7/1

Long time without a win but took a step back in the right direction refitted with cheekpieces when fifth at Newbury (24.2f, good to soft) in November. Back over fences today and will need to leave both previous tries behind if he's to figure.

Form: 592-785

Lord Of Kerak^t³⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 123

12/1

Fairly useful winning novice hurdler in 2020/21 and ran his best race to date when runner-up at Hereford (25.5f, soft) 10 months ago. Worth a second look in the betting now attentions are switched to the larger obstacles.

Form: 826/542-

Non-Runners

Coconut Splash⁷

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Monbeg Genius (5/4), First Lord De Cuet (3/1), Bellatrixsa (4/1), Coconut Splash (4/1), Skandiburg (7/1), Lord Of Kerak (12/1)

MONBEG GENIUS left his chasing debut effort well behind when getting off the mark at Newcastle last month, and with further progress on the cards, he can make light of a 5 lb higher mark and follow up. First Lord de Cuet shaped as if as good as ever when runner-up returning from a lengthy absence recently so David Pipe's charge can give the selection most to think about, ahead of chasing-debutante Bellatrixsa.