MND Association Race For Research Lightning Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 3m 59.42s

Boothill^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 148| D

4/5

Useful hurdles winner who has quickly developed into an even better chaser, making it 3-4 in this sphere when landing the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton (2m) during the Christmas period. Obvious claims.

Form: 2-P1121

Cormier²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ross Chapman| T: B Ellison| OR: 134| D

28/1

Tough, dependable sort over hurdles but he never looked like landing a blow when trailing in last of 3 behind Since Day One on chase debut at Newcastle 3 weeks ago.

Form: 117-U63

Ganapathi^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P Neville| OR: 139| D

50/1

Useful chaser who ran about as well as could be expected against a high-class rival on debut for new yard in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham in November. However, put in his place in a Wetherby handicap since and likely to come up short once again.

Form: 113325

Since Day One^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 139| D

7/1

Multiple winner over hurdles last season and successful on 2 of his 3 starts since switched to fences, most recently seeing off Tommy's Oscar and Cormier in a 3-runner Newcastle handicap. However, now meets the runner-up on significantly worse terms.

Form: 214-121

Tommy's Oscar²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 153| BF| C| D

7/4

Really smart hurdler who narrowly prevailed in a match on chase debut at Carlisle (2m) in October. Beaten 4½ lengths by Since Day One when favourite for a small-field Newcastle handicap last time but enjoys a hefty pull at the weights with that rival here.

Form: 19-1252

Non-Runners

Saint Segal¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: Mrs J Williams J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Boothill (4/5), Tommy's Oscar (7/4), Since Day One (7/1), Saint Segal (14/1), Cormier (28/1), Ganapathi (50/1)

This is likely to boil down to a match between TOMMY'S OSCAR and Boothill, particularly if Saint Segal misses the race after his second here on Friday. Boothill has done nothing wrong since switched to fences and won't go down without a fight but he carries a penalty for his latest success at Kempton, a factor which tilts the scales in favour of Tommy's Oscar. Since Day One boasts a fine strike rate but he will do well to confirm Newcastle placings with the selection on these revised terms.