LeicesterRaces Christmas Meeting 28th December Book Now Beginners' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 6m 16.94s

Alaphilippe^t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135

5/1

Useful hurdler who hasn't stood much racing in recent seasons. Made a sound start over fences when second at Carlisle in October but a listed novice at Cheltenham proved well beyond him since. This not much easier.

Form: 1552/2P

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Makin'yourmindup²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| BF

6/4

Likeable sort who was a useful novice hurdler last term, the highlight being a 3m Haydock Grade 2 success. Off 7 months, shaped as if better for the run when fourth of 9 in 3m Exeter novice handicap on chase debut 23 days ago. Sure to improve for top stable.

Form: 11214-4

Apple Away¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 141

1/1

Made relentless progress over hurdles last season, culminating with a gutsy front-running display in a Grade 1 3m novice at Aintree. Should be all the sharper for her first experience of chasing at Haydock (21.5f) last month and the return to a slightly longer trip will suit too.

Form: 32111-3

Non-Runners

Meetmeatthearch¹⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: R Rowe J: Tabitha Worsley

Forecasts

Apple Away (1/1), Makin'yourmindup (6/4), Alaphilippe (5/1), Meetmeatthearch (50/1)

An interesting opener as it features smart prospects MAKIN'YOURMINDUP and Apple Away. Both are likely to benefit from their recent first experience of chasing, with the former narrowly preferred for Paul Nicholls.