Focus Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (For The Brown Chamberlin Trophy) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 58.00s

Genois²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129

40/1

Got off the mark over fences at Wetherby in November but pulled up in handicap chase at Newcastle (20.1f, good) 27 days ago. Has a bit to prove now.

Form: 73164P

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Tedley²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128

7/1

Won handicaps at Uttoxeter and Wetherby on his first 2 outings over fences and has mostly performed with credit in defeat since, though only ninth here last time. The sort to bounce back, though.

Form: 223539

Leave Of Absence^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 127| C

9/4

Lightly-raced winning hurdler. Runner-up both starts in this sphere, behind The Changing Man in Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot (23.8f, good) on latter occasion. Player on his handicap debut.

Form: 1131/22

Ilovethenightlife^t1²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 125| C

15/2

A fairly useful winning hurdler who built on an encouraging chase debut when landing a Kempton handicap in November. Not disgraced when last of 5 in listed chase at Exeter (24.2f, heavy) 28 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time. Ought to be thereabouts.

Form: 3-31455

Idefix De Ciergues^p⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 118

9/1

Made a winning start over fences at Chepstow in November. Campaigned over hurdles since and pulled up in handicap at Sandown (23.4f, heavy) 48 days ago. Still not ruled out back in this sphere.

Form: 44112P

Art Of Diplomacy^p1²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 112

7/2

Flat winner who won 3 times over hurdles for Dr Richard Newland. Placed all 4 starts over fences for his current yard, a good second of 5 in handicap chase at Wetherby (24.2f, heavy) 23 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Can make his presence felt again.

Form: 1-43332

Havaila^h¹¹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: G & J Moore| OR: 105| D

3/1

Has started well over fences and easily bagged his second success in 3-runner handicap chase at Plumpton (25.7f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Must enter calculations under a 7 lb penalty.

Form: 353131

Forecasts

Leave Of Absence (9/4), Havaila (3/1), Art Of Diplomacy (7/2), Tedley (7/1), Ilovethenightlife (15/2), Idefix De Ciergues (9/1), Genois (40/1)

A case can be made for most of these but Anthony Honeyball's low-mileage LEAVE OF ABSENCE could take a step forward now going handicapping so gets the nod over recent Plumpton scorer Havaila. Ilovethenightlife and Art of Diplomacy can't be discounted either.