DragonBet Born From The Betting Ring Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 24.77s

The Good Doctor¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 122

13/8

Fairly useful hurdler who looks the part for chasing and has found just one too strong on both starts in this sphere so far, going down narrowly at Newbury (16.4f, good to soft) 18 days ago. Can make amends here upped to 2½m for the first time.

Form: 128P-22

Moodofthemoment^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 114| CD

3/1

Notched third success over fences when decisively seeing off 10 rivals in a 2½m Ludlow handicap 4 weeks ago. Another personal best needed up 8 lb but he's clearly thriving and another bold show may well be on the way.

Form: 221141

Intimate²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 114| BF| C

9/2

Made a promising start over fences when runner-up at Sandown on return last month but was found wanting for pace even in a well-run race on testing ground when fourth of 8 in at Haydock (16.3f, heavy) since. Step up in trip sure to suit and remains with potential.

Form: 3651-24

Golden De Coeur³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 109

9/2

Fair hurdles form and bettered his inauspicious chase debut when fourth of 9 back from a 7-month break at Windsor (20.2f, good to soft) last month. Eased 3 lb since and this dual point winner is probably capable of better in this sphere.

Form: 3234-P4

Fever Dream^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Christian Williams| OR: 103

22/1

Winner over hurdles at Perth in June and followed that with a couple of respectable efforts in defeat. Yet to fire over fences but it's still early days (crying out for return to 3m).

Form: 125P48

Captain Boudet^p,t1⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: David Noonan| T: J Scott| OR: 100

10/1

Made a positive return to the fray when third of 18 in 19.5f Chepstow handicap in November and ran to a similar level when sixth of 11 at Exeter (21.6f, heavy) just under 6 weeks ago. Seems to be building up to something and the switch to fences could unlock more. Tongue tie applied.

Form: 4396-36

Non-Runners

Denemethy²

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: F O'Brien J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Good Doctor (13/8), Moodofthemoment (3/1), Denemethy (7/2), Golden De Coeur (9/2), Intimate (9/2), Captain Boudet (10/1), Fever Dream (22/1)

Cases can be made for most, but the vote goes to THE GOOD DOCTOR, who has found just one too strong on both starts over the larger obstacles so far but Ben Pauling's 6-y-o can make it third time lucky with this extra distance promising to suit. Moodofthemoment made it 3 wins from his last 4 starts when scoring at Ludlow 4 weeks ago so heads up the opposition, with Intimate taken to edge out Golden de Coeur for third.