EK Mowers And Machinery Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 4m 0.89s

Nordic Tiger^t²⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Harry Reed| T: Harry Derham| OR: 112| D

5/2

Won 3 times over hurdles during 2023/24 campaign and ran well when fourth at Doncaster on last season's return. Below form since, though hinted at a revival (helped force strong pace) at Kelso (20.9f, soft) in March. Interesting dropped back in trip for chase debut.

Form: 1/47909-

Devon Dude¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Jones| T: Evan Williams| OR: 110| D

15/8

Bumper winner who was narrowly denied in a Taunton maiden hurdle in February. However, failed to build on that next 2 starts and wasn't alway fluent before falling at the last in handicap at Chepstow (19.4f, good to soft) on chase debut 12 days ago. Remains early days over fences, though.

Form: 37222-F

Chicago Storm^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Robbie David⁽⁷⁾| T: Daisy Hitchins| OR: 108

5/1

Fair handicap hurdler who won twice last season having joined current yard. Looked to have every chance when fifth of 8 in novice handicap at Wincanton (good) on chase debut 13 days ago, but he's now back down to the same mark as for his last win over hurdles.

Form: 14-4485

Disco Annie^h,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 105

13/2

Won twice over hurdles at Carlisle last season and shaped well when runner-up on chase debut at the same course. Hasn't kicked on over fences since, but encouraging effort back hurdling after 5 months off at Carlisle (soft) 23 days ago. On a handy mark returned to chasing.

Form: 50-44U5

Supreme George³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 93WS

20/1

Stepped forward from his hurdling debut effort when runner-up in a Doncaster novice a year ago. That remains a standout effort, though, offering little tried chasing when well held in handicap at Bangor (good to soft) in October. Has had a wind op since.

Form: 2655-35

L'empire Vert^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 92| CD

13/2

Making third start over fences, stepped up on his return when getting off the mark at this C&D (good to soft) in November. Fell at the fifth at Hereford 8 days ago, but he could still have more to offer in this sphere. Major player back here.

Form: 528-91F

Forecasts

Devon Dude (15/8), Nordic Tiger (5/2), Chicago Storm (5/1), Disco Annie (13/2), L'empire Vert (13/2), Supreme George (20/1)

A winner at this C&D in November, L'EMPIRE VERT fell at Hereford on his next outing but is well worth another chance returned to this venue. He could yet do better as a chaser and can see off the challenge of Disco Annie, who won over hurdles off a 1 lb higher mark last season. Nordic Tiger is also one to note on chase debut.