DragonBet Towton Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 18.00s

Handstands³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 143

1/1

Won on sole outing in points before landing his first 3 starts over hurdles last term. Let down by jumping on chase bow/return but clearly learnt plenty from that when winning 5-runner Esher Novices' Chase at Sandown last month. Big shout under a penalty with drop back in trip no problem.

Form: 1116-F1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Hillcrest²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 140

16/1

Unbeaten when completing over hurdles, galloping on strongly on first crack at 3m in a Grade 2 at Haydock almost 3 years ago. Made a more than satisfactory return after 33 months on the sidelines on chasing debut at Haydock but had a hard race that day and went backwards at Cheltenham 4 weeks ago.

Form: 1U1P/4P

Lord Of Thunder^t1³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127

16/1

On the up over hurdles last season, scoring twice in novice company at Wincanton. Looks the part for chasing and was making a promising start in this sphere when coming down 2 out at Cheltenham on return. Respectable fourth at Exeter since and remains one to view positively. Tongue tie applied.

Form: P211-F4

Range¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Dylan Johnston| T: S Thomas| OR: 130| D

16/1

Novice hurdle winner who struck at the second time of asking over fences in 19.5f Chepstow handicap. However, below par at Kempton since and this a tough race to bounce back in.

Form: 154-F17

Saint Davy³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137| D

3/1

Progressive over hurdles, winning 2 of 3 starts last term. Very much a chasing type and shaped promisingly on comeback/chase bow when 4 lengths third of 5 to Handstands at Sandown last month, just caught out by the downhill fence both times. Will improve on that and 5 lb better off with winner here.

Form: 19/116-3

Cherie D'am³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

4/1

Progressed into quite a useful novice hurdler last season and built on chase debut promise when winning mares listed chase at Warwick last month, jumping well from the front. Another bold bid expected.

Form: 2123-31

Non-Runners

Karuma Grey²³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: Mrs A M Thorpe J: Shane Fenelon

Forecasts

Handstands (1/1), Saint Davy (3/1), Cherie D'am (4/1), Lord Of Thunder (16/1), Hillcrest (16/1), Range (16/1), Karuma Grey (50/1)

HANDSTANDS looked potentially smart when winning a similar event at Sandown 5 weeks ago, having too much speed for his rivals on his first attempt at 3m, and can get the better of Saint Davy again back over this shorter trip under a 5 lb penalty. Cherie d'Am has continued her progress since switched to fences and is another to consider.