Fitzdares Your Personal Bookmaker Lightning Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 0.31s

Alnilam²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 144| D

4/1

Useful hurdler who has already bettered that form over fences, following up his successful Uttoxeter chase debut with a convincing victory at Cheltenham. Made a bad mistake when pulled up in Sandown Grade 1 and can have his performance in the Wayward Lad marked up a little.

Form: 25-11P4

Be Aware^h⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 147| D

8/15

Useful hurdler who landed a Stratford handicap on debut over fences in October and even better form when runner-up in graded novices both starts since, latterly in Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown. Hood back on and very much the one to beat on these terms.

Form: 388-122

No Questions Asked²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 144| BF| D

7/2

Pretty useful 3-time novice hurdle winner who barely put a foot wrong when making a winning return/chase debut at Ascot. Impressed with the way he went through the race when runner-up in Newbury Grade 2 prior to finding less than seemed likely back at Ascot last time. Must bounce back.

Form: 210-123

Non-Runners

Hansard²⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: G & J Moore J: Caoilin Quinn

Roadlesstravelled³²¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Forecasts

Be Aware (8/15), Hansard (10/3), No Questions Asked (7/2), Alnilam (4/1), Roadlesstravelled (16/1)

BE AWARE was no match for the hugely exciting Lulamba in the Henry VIII at Sandown but still held on well for second and stands out on these terms back in Grade 2 company. No Questions Asked possibly found the race coming a bit soon when disappointing at Ascot last time, so could well bounce back and provide the chief threat.