BetVictor Balnakeilly Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 0.71s

Huelgoat^t¹²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124

10/3

Has fine record over fences, winning first 4 starts and running creditably in defeat since. Given a break since latest Wincanton second on Boxing Day. Likely to give a good account for last year's winning yard.

Form: 111322

Captain Quint³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 122| BF| D

11/4

Won on chase debut at Hexham (2m) in November and back on scoreboard in match race at Ayr (20.5f, good to firm) in March. Shaped as if still in good form (made bad mistake 4 out) when fifth of 9 at Carlisle latest.

Form: U33215

Fusain^p,t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: K Brogan| T: P Neville| OR: 122

5/1

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. Out of depth in Aintree Grade 1 recently (remote third) but contender back at a more realistic level.

Form: 524113

Grey Skies³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117

13/2

Maiden/novice hurdle winner last season but this point winner hasn't made the expected progress since switch to fences, with his latest Sedgefield success gained in very fortunate circumstances, 8 lengths down when sole rival fell last.

Form: 12-7541

Universal Folly⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 116

4/1

Third hurdle win when seeing off 6 rivals at Market Rasen last month. Showed promise on the first of 2 chase starts at the end of 2022 and he returns to fences off the same mark as at Market Rasen.

Form: 14-2821

Diamond State^p,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 109| D

9/1

Scored at Musselburgh in December. Mostly respectable efforts since and his mark continues to ease.

Form: 314324

Forecasts

Captain Quint (11/4), Huelgoat (10/3), Universal Folly (4/1), Fusain (5/1), Grey Skies (13/2), Diamond State (9/1)

UNIVERSAL FOLLY returns to fences off the same mark as when successful over hurdles at Market Rasen last month and gets the vote. Paul Nicholls won this race last year and his Huelgoat is much respected back from a break. Captain Quint is another who should go well.