Fitzdares Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 6m 21.16s

Bhaloo³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134

11/1

Dual novice hurdle winner last season and made a winning start over fences in 4-runner handicap chase at Ascot (18.8f, good) on return. Tame display over hurdles at Cheltenham since but remains with potential in this sphere.

Form: 141-21P

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Deafening Silence³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 133| D

6/1

Point winner who boasted a record of 2-3 over hurdles, including Grade 2 success at Sandown (19.8f) last winter. Shaped very well after a year off when third in Haydock Graduation chase but went backwards at Cheltenham since. Worth another chance.

Form: 13/11-34

Gericault Roque^t⁷⁸³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 133

20/1

Took very well to chasing in 2021/22, placed all 5 starts, including excellent second of 24 to Corach Rambler in Ultima at Cheltenham on final start. All the better for return when third in Coral Cup at Newbury over 2 years ago but not seen since.

Form: 222253/

Kyntara³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 127| D

9/2

Made up into a useful hurdler last term, scoring at Lingfield and Aintree. Runner-up at Hereford on chasing debut for Kim Bailey in 2022 and looked rusty when a well-held fourth in 23f handicap chase at Newbury on his return. Remains capable of a lot better in this sphere.

Form: 1222F-4

Herakles Westwood³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 124

13/8

Completed hurdle hat-trick last winter and further improvement switched to fences this season, building on return when winning at Newbury last month. Likely to progress again so needs considering.

Form: 1442-21

Myretown²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 123| D

11/4

£135,000 buy after winning an Irish point in April 2022 and hurdles winner last season. Built for chasing and stepped up on chase bow/return when comfortable winner of 3-runner handicap at Wetherby 3 weeks ago. Will stay this far and more to come.

Form: 4/2F1-51

Non-Runners

Johnnywho²⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Forecasts

Herakles Westwood (13/8), Myretown (11/4), Johnnywho (4/1), Kyntara (9/2), Deafening Silence (6/1), Bhaloo (11/1), Gericault Roque (20/1)

There was plenty to like about MYRETOWN's win at Wetherby on Boxing Day so he gets the vote up 2 lb in what looks an open affair. Herakles Westwood has continued on the upgrade switched to fences this season and is next best ahead of Johnnywho, who will be suited by this stiffer test.