racingtv.com Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 4m 15.65s

Benson^p,t³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 129| D

9/1

Healthy strike rate over hurdles (6-26) but hasn't made much of an impact in 2 starts over fences to date and ran poorly in a Musselburgh handicap hurdle on New Year's Day.

Form: 00-P47P

Galunggung¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124| D

7/4

Progressive, dual hurdles winner who made perfect start over fences when winning 4-runner handicap at Perth last spring. Arguably unlucky not to follow up next time and recently posted his best effort yet in this sphere when collared close home by an in-form rival at Ayr (16.5f, soft). Big player.

Form: 11-1632

Great Pepper²⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 121WS

4/1

Dual point winner who showed a good attitude when landing first 2 starts over hurdles last term before struggling in Grade 2/listed company at around 3m. Has undergone a wind op since latest start and perhaps switch to fences will have a positive effect but this drop back in trip may not be ideal.

Form: 11/11PP-

Bleu D'enfer^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 120

2/1

Winner of an Ayr maiden hurdle last February and placed on 4 of his 8 starts over fences, including when just touched off in a 17.3f Clonmel maiden chase in December. Wasn't disgraced when fourth over 2¾m at Fairyhouse next time and will be a threat granted a clean round of jumping.

Form: 1F3-424

Barrabooka³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: G Sheehan| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110| D

8/1

Confirmed promise of hurdling debut when landing an 8-runner Wetherby novice (2m, heavy) on penultimate start. However, he ran poorly under a penalty at Doncaster last time and while this point winner could make up into a better chaser, Galunggung appears to be the stable first-string.

Form: 1/31P

Chumlee^h²⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 85

50/1

Progressive initially from a low base in handicaps, gaining second career success at Newcastle last February. Absent since pulled up at Hexham 8 months ago, though, and he's a long way out of the weights here.

Form: 91/312-P

Forecasts

Galunggung (7/4), Bleu D'enfer (2/1), Great Pepper (4/1), Barrabooka (8/1), Benson (9/1), Chumlee (50/1)

GALUNGGUNG took a step forward when a good second at Ayr recently and looks the most solid option by some way. If Bleu d'Enfer puts in a good round of jumping he may well emerge as the main danger, while Great Pepper will also be a threat if he takes to fences at the first time of asking.