High Gosforth Park Golf Club Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 4m 25.95s

Pony Soprano³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 118

7/4

Didn't go on as expected following hurdles debut win at Exeter last term but it hasn't been a bad start by any means in this sphere, posting a respectable third of 8 in handicap chase at Haydock (16.3f) 38 days ago. Possibilities eased in class.

Form: 358-353

Spadestep^p1,t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 117| BF| D

13/8

Point winner who scored at the third time of asking over hurdles on his reappearance at Hexham (2m, soft) in October. Beaten favourite both starts since switched to fences, but he found just one too good on each occasion and remains with potential in this sphere. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 122-122

The Grafter^t²⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 106| BF

5/2

Failed to get his head in front over hurdles but filled runners-up spot 4 times in handicaps last term, including at this track. Jumping let him down when fifth at Bangor (16.6f) when last seen 9 months ago but he could well be the type to take well to this discipline.

Form: 422225-

Kids Say Lastgojoe^h⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Callum Bewley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 93| D

14/1

Won a Catterick bumper last year and more like it over hurdles when third of 9 over C&D in October. Said to have bled when pulled up here the following month however, and he has a bit to prove returning from a short break/now tackling larger obstacles. Hood back on.

Form: 15U-73P

Non-Runners

Double Digits³²

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: Mrs A Hamilton J: Danny McMenamin

Forecasts

Spadestep (13/8), Pony Soprano (7/4), The Grafter (5/2), Double Digits (6/1), Kids Say Lastgojoe (14/1)

Having chased home a dual subsequent scorer on his chase debut at Aintree, SPADESTEP didn't jump with the same fluency when filling the same spot at Doncaster 45 days ago. However, the application of cheekpieces may help in that regard and he's worth another chance with potential for better remaining intact. Pony Soprano eased in class and Double Digits can provide chief resistance.