Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 5m 23.01s

Handstands²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 144| C| D

10/3

Winner of 3 of his 4 starts over hurdles last term, including a 1½-length verdict over the re-opposing Jango Baie in a listed event at Huntingdon. Fell on chase debut but his jumping has looked an asset in winning Grade 2 races here (3m) and at Ffos Las (19.4f) since. Should give it a good shot.

Form: 116-F11

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Jango Baie⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153

10/11

Won twice and runner-up 3 times from 5 starts during a productive campaign over hurdles last term. Looks destined for bigger and better things in this sphere judged on decisive reappearance/chase debut success at Cheltenham (20.6f) in December, form which has been boosted since. Big chance.

Form: 11222-1

Mark Of Gold⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 142| D

22/1

Prolific winning hurdler who, despite not being an obvious chaser on looks or pedigree, made the perfect start in this sphere when landing a Grade 2 at Ascot (18.8f) just before Christmas. However, he was a rather fortunate winner that day and looks vulnerable here against 3 very promising novices.

Form: F10P-21

Kalif Du Berlais³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 152

11/4

Useful juvenile hurdler who showed no ill effects from chase debut fall at Carlisle in November when taking a novices' handicap at Newbury later that month. Delivered another assured round of jumping when following up at Cheltenham (16.3f) on New Year's Day and looks ready for this step up in class.

Form: 113-F11

Forecasts

Jango Baie (10/11), Kalif Du Berlais (11/4), Handstands (10/3), Mark Of Gold (22/1)

What this race lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality, with JANGO BAIE, Kalif du Berlais, Handstands and Mark of Gold all having shown themselves to be very promising novices. The last-named arguably lacks the scope of the other three and, though Hanstands is unlikely to go down without a fight, it's the Henderson and Nicholls runners that arguably possess the greatest potential. The form of Jango Baie's Cheltenham chase debut success looks strong and he gets the nod.