David Slater Big 7-0 Birthday Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:22 | Winning time: 4m 24.46s

Aggagio⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 117

7/2

Likeable dual-purpose performer who was in good form on the level during the summer, good third at Goodwood (2m) in September. Made a solid start to chasing when second at Huntingdon a couple of months ago and merits plenty of respect.

Form: 61531-2

Toothless^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 112

3/1

Dual 2m hurdles winner last season who got back on track switched to chasing when second in handicap at Wincanton 44 days ago. Open to improvement and worth taking a chance on.

Form: 1P-85P2

El Muchacho^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: H Dickin| OR: 112| C

15/8

Point winner who also scored twice over hurdles last January. Easily best effort over fences so far when third of 4 at Hereford last time, shaping better than the result. Has left Anthony Charlton since.

Form: 25-4P33

Pearly Island^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 112

11/4

9/4, career best when winning 10-runner handicap chase at Huntingdon (19.9f, soft) 19 days ago. Back up in the weights/grade now.

Form: 5P5321

Non-Runners

Clondaw Robin⁴

Weight: 10-2| Age: 11

T: A Irvine J: Philip Armson

Forecasts

El Muchacho (15/8), Pearly Island (11/4), Toothless (3/1), Aggagio (7/2), Clondaw Robin (50/1)

TOOTHLESS doesn't have a fully convincing profile but there was enough encouragement in his chasing debut at Wincanton to think he's worth taking a chance on here. Aggagio is the solid alternative and last-time-out winner Pearly Island can't be fully dismissed for all that he's back up in grade.