Rosconn Group Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:13 | Winning time: 3m 51.68s

Brookie^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 135| D

25/1

Useful sort over hurdles and has advanced his form over fences, resuming winning ways in 2m handicap at Doncaster 35 days ago. This is a very tough ask though.

Form: 4P-1731

Kalif Du Berlais⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 152| D

15/8

Useful winning juvenile hurdler who has taken his form up a notch sent chasing, bagging 2m handicaps at Newbury and Cheltenham. Failed to stay 2m4f when last of four in Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown last time and not discounted back in trip after a break.

Form: 13-F114

L'eau Du Sud^p1,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 156| D

5/4

Quick to make his mark over fences and made it 4-4 with Grade 1 success at Sandown then Grade 2 victory at Warwick. Posted a good close fourth of five in Arkle Chase at Cheltenham last time and another bold showing is on the cards with cheekpieces added.

Form: 5-11114

Special Cadeau⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142| D

12/1

Useful maiden hurdler and he created a good impression on his chasing debut when a 66/1-winner of 15-runner novice at Thurles (2m) in February. Has more to offer but this requires a big jolt of improvement.

Form: 42-4201

Touch Me Not²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 151| D

9/2

Much improved over fences this season and landed a Punchestown Grade 2 in November. Runner-up in Grade 1 events at Sandown and Leopardstown after but he trailed in last of 5 in Arkle Chase at Cheltenham last time. Has a bit to prove now.

Form: 1-21225

Non-Runners

Only By Night²⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: G P Cromwell J: Keith Donoghue

Forecasts

L'eau Du Sud (5/4), Kalif Du Berlais (15/8), Only By Night (15/8), Touch Me Not (9/2), Special Cadeau (12/1), Brookie (25/1)

ONLY BY NIGHT has flourished over fences and is fancied to quickly resume winning ways having been edged out late on in the Arkle last time. L'Eau du Sud came in fourth but only under a length behind Gavin Cromwell's likeable mare that day and again rates a big threat, while Paul Nicholls' Kalif du Berlais bypassed that race and shouldn't be underestimated now back at his optimum trip after a break.