Greene King Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 6m 29.18s

Up For Appeal⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 99

14/1

Got off the mark over fences at Newton Abbot in June but operating below best more recently, struggling some way out when pulled up at Worcester (20f) in August. Bit to prove now.

Form: 4-4134P

Awesome Foursome^t¹⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 93

9/2

Bumper/hurdles winner who again ran creditably when runner-up at Ludlow (21.2f) in May. Not in same form at Market Rasen a month later but can't be ruled out now chasing with his yard going great guns.

Form: 3233-25

Instant Gambler⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 85| D

1/1

Has proved a revelation since switched over the larger obstacles and completed a four-timer with ease at Fontwell last week. Should take all the beating again.

Form: P9/1111

Lunar Contact^p1,t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: T Ellis| OR: 91| CD

7/1

Fair form over hurdles for Alan King in 2022/23. Yet to fire for this yard but showed some aptitude for chasing when fourth at Plumpton last time. Should build on that with cheekpieces fitted.

Form: 31-2F64

Henry Box Brown¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 90

16/1

Has returned to chasing this season and gained a first success over fences when staying on to lead close home in a Worcester handicap (20f, good) in August. Failed to back it up at Hereford, though, and others are more appealing.

Form: F25717

Illogical Logic¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: Christian Williams| OR: 87

11/2

Lightly-raced maiden who has yet to make an impact in handicaps, including over fences. Mark is edging down, though, and he's worth a market check.

Form: 73-P655

Non-Runners

Cluain Aodha⁴⁵⁶

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: N B King J: J M Quinlan

Forecasts

Instant Gambler (1/1), Awesome Foursome (9/2), Illogical Logic (11/2), Cluain Aodha (11/2), Lunar Contact (7/1), Up For Appeal (14/1), Henry Box Brown (16/1)

INSTANT GAMBLER has thrived over fences and looked well ahead of the handicapper again when easing clear to complete the four-timer at Fontwell last week. Awesome Foursome is an interesting chasing debutant and Lunar Contact isn't without hope.