Mik Tubb 'Uncle Eli' Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 5.77s

General Medrano²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 134

5/2

Fairly useful hurdler who has done even better over fences this season, making it 2-2 in this sphere in 2m Huntingdon handicap 3 weeks ago. 9 lb rise to overcome and has stamina to prove but got to be respected as an improving sort.

Form: 1324-11

Hermino AA¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129| C

13/2

Dual hurdles winner last term (including here), showing some quirks once in front but far too good for his rivals at Warwick (19f) final start in March. Easy to back on chase debut at Ascot a fortnight ago and made an inauspiscious start, unseating at the first. Retains potential.

Form: 23121-U

Ree Okka^p,t²⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: H Fry| OR: 129

11/2

Irish point winner who landed 2 novice hurdles at up to 24.5f in 2021-22. Shaped up well without success over fences last season and that experience won't be lost on him.

Form: 17/2523-

Brave Kingdom^t⁶⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128WS

11/4

Useful hurdler who was always in control as he won 19f Taunton novice when last seen 23 months ago. Very much the type to make a better chaser for top yard, though does return from a very long absence here after another wind op.

Form: 31131/

Martator²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 119

11/4

Placed in Grade 1 hurdles at Auteuil in 2021 for Joel Boisnard but has found it a struggle for new yard, easy to back and looking very rusty reverted to this sphere after 6 months off at Aintree (jumped badly). Down another 5 lb and could fare better back up in trip here.

Form: 3/80P6-3

Forecasts

General Medrano (5/2), Brave Kingdom (11/4), Martator (11/4), Ree Okka (11/2), Hermino AA (13/2)

MARTATOR lurks on a very tempting mark (23 lb lower than when starting out for the yard) and could be set for a big run if building on his Aintree comeback and jumping better. General Medrano is feared most in his hat-trick bid but fair cases can be made for the other trio.