Martin Bowler Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 57.0s

Ip Up¹⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 120| D

15/2

Fair hurdler/chaser in France who won 2m handicap hurdles at Fakenham and Newcastle upon joining this yard. Looked in the grip of the handicapper to end the campaign and he may just need this after 6 months off returned to the larger obstacles.

Form: 321426-

Caithness¹³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 118| D

4/1

Comfortable all-the-way winner of maiden/handicap over hurdles at Kelso this time last year. Bit hit-or-miss over timber since but looks the type to make up into a better chaser,

Form: 13606-3

Beat Box¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 115| D

6/4

Improved out of all recognition for Dan Skelton, completing the 4-timer in 5-runner handicap at Worcester 18 days ago, finding extra. No surprise were he to shrug off latest 6 lb rise.

Form: 67-1111

The Churchill Lad^h¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 115| D

17/2

Haydock winner over hurdles in December and has been shaping up quite nicely over timber despite typically pulling hard. Lot depends on how he takes to chasing.

Form: 9-46733

Dream Jet³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: B Ellison| OR: 105| BF

5/2

Fair hurdler who opened his chase account at Market Rasen in July, overcoming a slipping saddle. Good efforts since, most recently when third of 5 at Sedgefield on Tuesday.

Form: 521243

Forecasts

Beat Box (6/4), Dream Jet (5/2), Caithness (4/1), Ip Up (15/2), The Churchill Lad (17/2)

BEAT BOX has been the latest inmate to have been transformed by Dan Skelton and there's no real desire to oppose him in his quest for the 5-timer. Dream Jet is likely to give his running again but a bigger threat may emerge in the shape of chase-debutant Caithness.