Talasey Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:17 | Winning time: 6m 1.23s

Imperial Merlin²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Craig Nichol| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 123| D

9/1

Fairly useful hurdler who wasn't disgraced when fifth of 12 in 22f Cartmel handicap in July. Matched previous form in this sphere after 4 months off when finding sole rival Autumn Return too strong at Newcastle (20.1f, good) 4 weeks ago (later found to have bled). Can do better still.

Form: 53FP-52

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The Kniphand^p1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 121| CD

1/1

Improved model switched to handicaps/upped to 3m over hurdles in 2022/23, gaining a third success at Market Rasen. Better than ever when making third chase start a winning one at Southwell in October and ran to a similar level when runner-up at Ludlow last month, albeit let down by his jumping.

Form: 15/25-12

Lilting Verse^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 117| D

11/4

Listed bumper winner who opened her account over hurdles at Ludlow (21.2f) 13 months ago. Exploits mixed thereafter that season, but she's made a solid start to her chasing career, going one better than on return at Huntingdon (23.6f, soft) recently (won on the nod). Should improve again.

Form: 1454-31

A Definite Getaway^p⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 111| D

10/3

Maiden over hurdles but got off the mark at the first time of asking over fences at Worcester in July. Resumed winning ways at Exeter in October before creditable third at Huntingdon (23.6f, good) just under 6 weeks ago. Up against unexposed rivals here.

Form: 312613

Forecasts

The Kniphand (1/1), Lilting Verse (11/4), A Definite Getaway (10/3), Imperial Merlin (9/1)

A trappy contest but LILTING VERSE still looked a work in progress when coming out fractionally on top at Huntingdon just under 3 weeks ago, so Fergal O'Brien's mare gets the nod to progress again and take her tally to 2-3 in this sphere. The Kniphand has taken his form up a notch this season, so he's marginally preferred to Imperial Merlin for the forecast spot.