Horatio's Garden Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:37 | Winning time: 4m 0.65s

Touquet^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 108| D

4/1

Improved model with tongue tie added, landing back-to-back Huntingdon handicaps (at 16.5f) in recent months. Assessor applies further pressure but very much respected in hat-trick bid.

Form: P24311

Sage Green^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Paddy Hanlon⁽⁵⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 106| D

13/8

Irish point winner who has showed fair form without success over hurdles but produced most encouraging effort for a while with a tongue strap added when fourth at Warwick (2m) 13 days ago. Attractively weighted on that evidence if he can prove as effective now chasing. Hood left off.

Form: 2-65724

Haas Boy^p,t⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Chester Williams| OR: 106| BF| D

6/4

Won a 4-runner Newton Abbot chase on stable debut before following up with something to spare over hurdles at Exeter. Good runner-up efforts next 2 starts and not unduly punished once chance had gone when sixth back over fences latest. Better expected back from a break.

Form: P-11226

A Great Excuse^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: M Comley| OR: 102| D

13/2

Lightly-raced hurdler who has made a bright start in this sphere, finding plenty to land 2m handicap at Lingfield in December. However, fell next start and whilst avoiding mistakes when third at Catterick latest, that was ultimately a below-par display.

Form: 75-41F3

Forecasts

Haas Boy (6/4), Sage Green (13/8), Touquet (4/1), A Great Excuse (13/2)

A dual chase/hurdles scorer back in the autumn, HAAS BOY is probably best not judged too harshly on his Exeter run when last seen in January and it would come as no surprise to see a better showing from this lower chase mark. The hat-trick seeking Touquet looks sure to be on the premises again, whilst Sage Green is worth noting for support on his chase bow.