racingtv.com Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 6m 36.50s

Micks Jet^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 119| BF| C

7/2

Bumper/hurdles winner who responded very well to first-time cheekpieces when opening chase account here (19.4f, heavy) by a wide margin last month. No problem with the step up to 3m when finding just one too good at Bangor next time and, though up another 4 lb, she is a major player.

Form: P46212

Broomfield Present^t,v¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 117| D

13/2

Useful hurdler (2-3 in that sphere) and promising start over fences when third in an Exeter handicap on reappearance last season. Things haven't gone to plan since but latest fourth of 8 in a Lingfield handicap (23.5f, heavy) at least represented a step back in the right direction.

Form: BP-6FP4

Support Act⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: K Brogan| T: T Lawes| OR: 111| C

5/4

Bumper winner who left hurdles debut form well behind when easily landing a Doncaster novice last February. Couple of mistakes proved costly when fourth on chase debut following a wind op at Newbury (23.4f, good to soft) and, likely to build on that encouraging display, he makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 21/51-04

Art Of Diplomacy²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 111| BF| C| D

3/1

Flat winner who won 3 times over hurdles for Dr Richard Newland, leaving that stable after taking a seller here (19.7f) last March. Placed all 3 starts over fences so far, albeit without really threatening and likely to again find one or two too good.

Form: 2/1-4333

De Legislator^p1³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 108| BF| D

16/1

Won sole start in Irish points and then his first 2 over hurdles at Hexham and Kelso towards the end of 2022. Attracted support ahead of his comeback run/chase debut at Ayr (3m, soft) but he ran poorly, even allowing for the fact that it was his first outing following almost 2 years off.

Form: 1115/5

Non-Runners

Ultra Beat⁵²

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: H D Daly J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Support Act (5/4), Art Of Diplomacy (3/1), Micks Jet (7/2), Broomfield Present (13/2), Ultra Beat (7/1), De Legislator (16/1)

There were plenty of positives to take from SUPPORT ACT's chase debut fourth at Newbury and, with the strong possibility of better come from this 7-y-o over fences, he is taken to deliver the goods. Micks Jet arrives here in good order and she is feared most ahead of Broomfield Present, who has dipped to an attractive mark and there were signs that he's veering back on to the right track at Lingfield recently.