12 February Valentines Meeting Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 10.94s

Hypotenus²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Taylor Fisher| T: J Tickle| OR: 112| D

11/4

Yet to score over fences but has proved largely consistent since joining present stable at the beginning of last year. Good second on Ludlow return in October and capable of bouncing back from a lesser run last time.

Form: 3334-27

Irish Chorus²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 106| D

7/2

Winless over hurdles but clicked at only the second time of asking over fences in 2m Leicester handicap (good to soft) last month. Her jumping needs a bit of working on but she's almost certainly capable of better again in this sphere.

Form: U6F4-41

Juggernaut^t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 103| D

6/5

Dual winner over hurdles. Has proved expensive to follow so far over fences but he was better than latest Wincanton fourth suggests having been badly hampered 3 out.

Form: 322234

Ballybeen^t⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 93

10/1

On a good mark judged on form for Sam Thomas a couple of seasons back, but he's 0-19 under Rules and hasn't offered much in 2 outings since joining this yard.

Form: 23P/7-8P

O'Grady's Hill³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies| OR: 91

20/1

Point winner who was runner-up in a bumper/maiden hurdle for Harry Derham in summer 2024 but finished well held in a Ludlow handicap hurdle last month on her return from an absence for a new yard. Might be best watched now chasing.

Form: 22264-5

Non-Runners

Senor Diaz²¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: J D Frost J: Cameron Iles

Forecasts

Juggernaut (6/5), Hypotenus (11/4), Irish Chorus (7/2), Ballybeen (10/1), O'Grady's Hill (20/1), Senor Diaz (33/1)

IRISH CHORUS hasn't been foot perfect with her jumping over fences so far but it didn't prevent her winning last time and there's more to come from her in this sphere if she can refine her jumping technique. Juggernaut is the one likely to give her most to do ahead of Hypotenus.