Sri Lanka, The Wonder Of Asia Mares' Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:38 | Winning time: 5m 34.12s

El Elefante¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 124| D

7/1

Fairly useful hurdler, scoring twice over this sort of trip last term. Below par when last seen at Perth in April but goes well fresh and warrants respect on chase debut.

Form: 5451F4-

Getaway Theatre²⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 114| BF

12/1

Point winner who was well suited by emphasis on stamina when making a successful hurdle debut over 2¾m at Stratford in November. Couldn't really build on that, however, and faces a stiff task on switch to chasing.

Form: 41/1264-

Glimpse Of Gala^p,t¹⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 126

12/1

Dual hurdles winner in 2022/23 who made a promising start over fences when runner-up in this contest 12 months ago. More miss than hit over hurdles thereafter but returns with yard in better form.

Form: 6/205P6-

Ilovethenightlife¹⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 126

8/1

Fairly useful hurdler who found improvement when scoring at Plumpton (25f) in January. Below that level on final 3 starts but looks the type to make a better chaser.

Form: P51P53-

West Balboa¹⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 143| BF| D

2/5

Useful hurdler who made a winning return last term at Aintree in November. Back to that sort of form when creditable third of 21 in handicap hurdle at same course (24.7f, good to soft) when last seen in April and holds obvious claims on chase debut here.

Form: 1/10863-

Forecasts

West Balboa (2/5), El Elefante (7/1), Ilovethenightlife (8/1), Glimpse Of Gala (12/1), Getaway Theatre (12/1)

WEST BALBOA is the clear pick of these on hurdles form and will be hard to beat if taking to this discipline. Glimpse of Gala has chasing experience in the book and may provide the chief threat.