Racing To School Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 48.49s

Mortlach^t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132| D

10/11

Resumed winning ways back in handicap company at Newbury (16.4f) recently, always travelling well and drew clear close home to see off his 2 rivals in decisive fashion. Likely booked for second if Stag Horn is on-song and takes to fences but he clearly excels in these small-field scenarios.

Form: 223321

Fusain^p,t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: P Neville| OR: 118

9/2

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser for Henry de Bromhead and opened chase account in a match at Newcastle (16.3f) 12 days ago. That was his first run following a wind op and it could be that he has improved but he has a tough task at the weights back in novice company.

Form: 4-65241

Stag Horn^p⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Watson| C

13/8

Smart Flat stayer who impressed when winning first 2 starts over hurdles last term prior to struggling in Grade 1 company at the big spring festivals. Shaped as though amis on recent return in a Kempton handicap hurdle but obvious chance on these terms if taking well to fences.

Form: 11P8-P

Forecasts

Mortlach (10/11), Stag Horn (13/8), Fusain (9/2)

MORTLACH will surely find Stag Horn too hot to handle on these terms should that rival perform to something close to his best. However, Archie Watson's representative needs to bounce back following a tame reappearance display in the Lanzarote at Kempton and he's unproven over fences. Conversely, Mortlach arrives here in good form and he's a safe conveyance with a good strike rate in this sphere, so he is preferred. Fusain looks up against it at the weights back in novice company.