William Hill Most Top Prices Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 10.92s

Hyland¹¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141| CD

9/2

Useful hurdler who made a winning start over fences in handicap at Southwell (20.4f, good) in June. Weakened out of contention in the closing stages at Uttoxeter since but it's early days for him in this sphere and he has a clear chance on these terms.

Form: 3602-14

Yeats Star³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott

7/2

Save for a poor effort in the Martin Pipe at the Festival, he didn't do anything wrong over hurdles last season. Perfect start to chase career when landing a 6-runner Listowel maiden (2¾m, soft) last month and his yard has saddled 2 of the last 4 winners of this race.

Form: 133P-41

Bowtogreatness¹⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 130

8/1

Successful on 2 of his 4 starts over hurdles and has twice performed with great credit in valuable handicaps in this sphere, including when third in the Coral Trophy at Kempton (3m, soft). Below that level both starts since, though, and record over fences now stands at 0-11.

Form: 2/P5306-

Moon D'orange¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Harvey| T: J C McConnell| OR: 130

13/2

Winner of a novice hurdle during a short stint for Fergal O'Brien during the spring and shaped well on recent chase debut having rejoined former yard when third of 12 in a Punchestown maiden (16.6f, good). This trip will be more his bag and improvement could be on the way.

Form: 23310-3

Theatre Man^p1¹⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: R Bandey| OR: 137

15/8

Useful hurdler who took well to fences last term, placed in handicaps at Newbury and this course prior to falling early on when favourite for the Plate at the Festival. Probably best to draw a line through subsequent hurdles effort and bold show likely on return in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1/232F0-

Transmission^p¹⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 129| D

17/2

Irish import who did well in staying handicap hurdles after joining this yard last season, winning twice and placed twice from half-a-dozen appearances. Well beaten sole previous start over fences (when in the care of Colm Murphy) but he's surely capable of better in this sphere.

Form: 231581-

Forecasts

Theatre Man (15/8), Yeats Star (7/2), Hyland (9/2), Moon D'orange (13/2), Bowtogreatness (8/1), Transmission (17/2)

Cases can be made for each member of the sextet but THEATRE MAN is the one with the most persuasive claims. Indeed, he was a solid second to Ginny's Destiny (twice placed in Grade 1 company since) in the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase in January, which is the best chase form on offer here. Yeats Star made a smooth transition to the larger obstacles at Listowel and he is feared most ahead of fellow Irish raider Moon d'Orange and Hyland.