Passage House Inn Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 5m 14.63s

Western General^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 119| D

11/2

Hurdles winner who confirmed previous chase promise and more following wind op/6 months off when readily taking 7-runner 2m Newton Abbot handicap in October. Perhaps undone by a rise in the weights in tougher race at Chepstow but this step back up in distance will suit.

Form: P02-413

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Donnacha⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: N J Hawke| OR: 118| CD

5/2

Consistent over hurdles last season, winning 3 times, including here in April, and shaped better than on return on second go over fences at Chepstow last time (would've done more still but for successive mistakes at the top of the home straight). Can progress.

Form: 1021-34

Royal Jewel⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 116| C

11/4

Has done most of his racing here, winning 2m maiden hurdle last season. 2 good runs over fences away from this venue this term, settling better in fair heat at Chepstow on Friday. Quickly turned out again.

Form: 122-253

Risk De Pluie^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rex Dingle| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 112| D

5/2

Winning Irish pointer who followed suit in 2m3f novice hurdle at Fontwell on Rules debut a year ago and showed aptitude for chasing after a breathing operation/8 months off here recently. Longer trip will suit and can improve.

Form: 11354-3

Rangatira Jack¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Bryan Carver| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 95

7/1

Fair form without tasting success in novice/maiden hurdles last season and better effort over fences over C&D 13 days ago. Not out of things from his mark but will find easier opportunities.

Form: 432-0P5

Non-Runners

Walks Like The Man²⁰

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: G & J Moore J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Donnacha (5/2), Risk De Pluie (5/2), Royal Jewel (11/4), Western General (11/2), Walks Like The Man (13/2), Rangatira Jack (7/1)

Successive mistakes did for DONNACHA at Chepstow last time but it was an encouraging effort overall and he can do better over fences. He gets the vote over Risk de Pluie, who showed aptitude for this game on his return here last month.