Bella Coulson's 50th Birthday Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 6m 44.2s

Top Of The Bill^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| D

11/2

Fairly useful over hurdles but already better over fences, winning twice over 3m at Exeter in December/January. Checked out rather tamely when bidding for the hat-trick at the same course last time but will be a danger to all if that low-key effort turns out to be a mere blip.

Form: U-63113

Collectors Item^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127

7/2

Made up into a pretty useful novice hurdler last term, winning twice, and has shown promise in this sphere, not least when fourth of 10 off 3 lb higher at Sandown in December. Well held last 2 starts (latterly back over hurdles at Chepstow) but it's far too soon to consider writing this 7-y-o off.

Form: 3-454P7

Donny Boy⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams| T: N W Alexander| OR: 125| D

13/2

Improved from a tentative performance on chase debut when arguably shaping best in a 7-runner handicap at Newcastle (23.4f, good to soft) in December, only just failing after a delayed challenge. Wasn't disgraced at Doncaster since and should make his presence felt.

Form: P25-224

Lord Of Kerak^t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 120

9/2

Fairly useful hurdles winner who has reached a similar level over fences, twice second in small-field novice handicaps at Leicester this season prior to walking over at the same course 11 days ago. Return to this trip won't be an issue and he needs considering off a workable mark.

Form: 3-42621

Cerendipity²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 116| C

7/2

Fairly useful winner over hurdles and built on an encouraging start in this sphere when getting off the mark over 15f here in November. Decent placed efforts both subsequent completions but he's unproven beyond 2½m and doesn't appear to be crying out for a stiffer test.

Form: 313PF3

Shighness^p1²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 113| BF| C

4/1

Consistent performer over hurdles last term who got off the mark at the fourth time of asking in this sphere when landing a 4-runner Catterick handicap (25.2f, soft) last month. However, she didn't go with much fluency when put in her place off this 4 lb higher mark at Carlisle. Cheekpieces added.

Form: 3-4P214

Forecasts

Collectors Item (7/2), Cerendipity (7/2), Shighness (4/1), Lord Of Kerak (9/2), Top Of The Bill (11/2), Donny Boy (13/2)

TOP OF THE BILL and Collectors Item both need to bounce back but, if able to do so, they will likely come to the fore in this trappy-looking handicap. The latter is potentially the better treated of the two but there's less to forgive where Top of The Bill is concerned. Indeed, Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge appeared to be firmly on the up prior to trailing in last of three finishers at Exeter on his latest start and he is preferred. Lord of Kerak is just about third choice ahead of Donny Boy.