Stewart Wright Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 3m 54.85s

Mortlach^t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132| D

11/10

Made hay in small-field novice events this season, including 4 victories over fences at up to 21f. Limitations have been exposed in Graded company though, well-held third in Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day and no chance with a smart one in a match at Plumpton latest. Back in a handicap.

Form: 222332

Fast Buck^t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 131| D

6/5

Below-par last season for Dan Skelton and having dropped a long way in the weights, returned to form from out of the blue to get off the mark over fences in style over at Lingfield in December. Confirmed he's back in excellent nick when runner-up at Sandown and he's a big player.

Form: 3-54912

Tap Tap Boom^t⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 125| D

11/2

Five-time Flat winner who scored twice over hurdles in France back in 2018. Failed to win over timber for current yard but landed brace of small-field handicaps over fences during the autumn. Unseated rider early in hat-trick bid in December and latest effort suggests he's too high in the weights.

Form: 75-11U6

Forecasts

Mortlach (11/10), Fast Buck (6/5), Tap Tap Boom (11/2)

FAST BUCK is back in good form for his new connections and it's easy enough to envisage this uncomplicated ride making all here. With Tap Tap Boom too high in the weights, Mortlach is the obvious threat.