Visit attheraces.com Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 8.10s

Mullinaree^h,t¹³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 119| D

15/2

Won 5 on the spin over hurdles last year and ran better than on chasing bow when fourth of 7 in handicap at Plumpton (19.8f) in December. Ran poorly when pulled up over hurdles at Sandown in January but he could well bounce back returned to chasing/following a break.

Form: 115P4P-

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Him Malaya^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 109

9/2

Got off the mark when landing 2m Wincanton handicap in November and has run with credit on 3 of his 4 starts since, third of 9 in handicap at Ludlow (15.7f) 24 days ago. Of interest now stepping up in trip on chasing bow.

Form: 513P3-3

American Gerry^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 105

15/8

Opened chase account in refitted cheekpieces at Taunton (21.7f) and dispelled a lesser effort re-united with today's pilot when finishing a good second over C&D 16 days ago, closing all the way to the line. Well in the mix again.

Form: 4341-52

Midnight Centurion¹⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 105| D

17/2

Ludlow maiden hurdles winner in March 2022 and positive start over fences when finding just one too good on chase debut in November of that year. Might have needed first start for 14 months at first-named venue in January and this should reveal more.

Form: 41332/3-

Lelant^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 100

8/1

Fair form without success over hurdles but went backwards from his chase debut effort when third of 6 in handicap chase at Stratford (22.5f) last month. Eased further in weights as a result but others arrive here with more pressing claims.

Form: 25446-3

Up For Appeal¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 97

10/3

Fair hurdles winner who has shaped with promise over fences, better than bare result back from 6 months off when fourth in a C&D handicap 16 days ago. Feasible to think we've yet to see the best of him in this sphere and he's not discounted here.

Form: 61334-4

Forecasts

American Gerry (15/8), Up For Appeal (10/3), Him Malaya (9/2), Mullinaree (15/2), Lelant (8/1), Midnight Centurion (17/2)

AMERICAN GERRY quickly dispelled a lesser effort when second behind an aggressively ridden rival over C&D 16 days ago, noted closing all the way to the line and, again partnered by Freddie Gingell, he looks to hold sound claims again. Him Malaya goes chasing following a good solid third over hurdles at Ludlow (form working out well) and he's of interest. Up For Appeal is another to keep an eye on.