Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices' Chase (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 33.24s

Springwell Bay³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 145| C

2/1

Very useful hurdler. Jumping improved as the race wore on when landing a 5-runner listed event on chase debut at Chepstow (19.5f, good) last month, form which was boosted when the third (Boombawn) recently landed a Grade 2 at Wincanton. Open to improvement in this sphere and he's a big player.

Form: 6/142U-1

Hyland²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144| CD

2/1

Useful hurdler who made it 2-3 over fences when scoring by a wide margin over C&D (good) 20 days ago. The front pair in the market that day clearly didn't give their running but he nevertheless did the job in good style and has to be respected.

Form: 602-141

Buddy One¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J G Gilligan| T: P J Gilligan| CD

16/5

Smart hurdler who made the frame in top stayers' events at the big festivals during the spring. Landed the odds in a 3-runner affair at Galway (22.5f, good to soft) on debut in this sphere last month but was put in his place at Wexford since and will need to brush up on his jumping.

Form: P424-13

Resplendent Grey²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 138

9/2

Ended last season on the up over hurdles and perfect start to chase career when readily accounting for 5 rivals in a 2½m Uttoxeter handicap on return last month. This is more demanding but he should have more to offer and shapes as though this stiffer test will be right up his street.

Form: 7342-11

Forecasts

Hyland (2/1), Springwell Bay (2/1), Buddy One (16/5), Resplendent Grey (9/2)

Preference is for RESPLENDENT GREY, who looked a smart novice in the making at Uttoxeter and he looks ready for both this step up in class and trip. Springwell Bay also made a winning chase debut at Chepstow and is greatly respected given that, like the selection, he is open to improvement in this sphere. Hyland is impossible to discount on the back of his emphatic C&D success but Buddy One, though the pick of these over hurdles, has not looked a natural over fences so far.