EFT Systems Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 3m 47.89s

Calico^p,t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| D

12/1

Came good over fences in 2m Southwell handicap in January and better form when giving Jonbon a run for his money in a match race at Warwick in February. Confirmed he's an improved performer of late when bagging another handicap win at Doncaster last month.

Form: 224121

Fusain^p,t⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 122| D

40/1

Opened chase account in a match at Newcastle (2m) in February and followed up in a 3-runner novice at Catterick (19f) 12 days ago. Stable tasted Grade 1 novice chase success at the Cheltenham Festival but shock if this one follows suit.

Form: 652411

Jonbon³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 159| CD

2/11

Won 2m novice hurdle at this meeting last season and has shown even better form over fences this time round, winning first 3 starts before good 5½ lengths second of 9 to El Fabiolo in Arkle at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) last month. Hard to beat.

Form: 21-1112

Marvel De Cerisy^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 141

15/2

6-y-o who confirmed promise of chase debut when running out good winner of a Punchestown novice in November. Not seen to best effect on both outings since and remains capable of better. Lot of improvement needed to trouble Jonbon, though.

Form: 16F139

Non-Runners

Banbridge²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: J P O'Brien J: Non Runner

Notlongtillmay³⁰

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: L Morgan J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Jonbon (2/11), Banbridge (4/1), Notlongtillmay (5/1), Marvel De Cerisy (15/2), Calico (12/1), Fusain (40/1)

It's hard to see past JONBON who went down to a top-class rival at Cheltenham and can land a novice win at this meeting for the second year running. Notlongtillmay gets the nod for the forecast spot.