Virgin Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:08 | Winning time: 4m 21.44s

Secret Des Dieux²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: James Owen| OR: 129

3/1

Dual hurdles winner who struck at the first time of asking over fences at Fakenham in October. Added to that when landing the odds in a 3-runner Huntingdon handicap (16.5f, heavy) last month but more on his plate here up 7 lb in a tougher race.

Form: 4-13461

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Chuggy⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| BF

9/2

Work in progress over hurdles but entirely different proposition since returned to fences this season, winning 3 on the bounce before coming up short when odds on for a 3-runner Aintree handicap on Boxing Day. Wasn't seen to best effect that day and he's well worth another chance.

Form: 35-1112

Rightsotom^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: J Tizzard| OR: 126

11/2

Fairly useful 19f hurdles winner and has been placed a couple of times since tackling fences, including when third of 7 in a handicap here last time. This drop back in trip looks a good move and he needs considering.

Form: 3-934F3

Jorebel⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon| OR: 121| D

10/1

Completed a hat-trick over hurdles at Worcester in October and successful first 2 starts over fences late last year. Shade below par at Newbury last time but given a break since and it wouldn't be a great surprise were he to get back on track with a bold show.

Form: 112115

Tapley^t⁷⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 119| C| D

7/2

Got close to something like the pick of his hurdles form when readily taking 8-runner handicap chase at Wincanton (2½m, good) in November. Ran well up in grade at Kempton on Boxing Day and respected in this company.

Form: 632142

Pure Carbon⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 118

7/2

Maiden hurdler who has taken very well to fences, going one better than on chase debut to land a 9-runner Huntingdon handicap in November. Didn't get very far next time but quickly back on the right path with victory at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft) last month and he's unexposed in this sphere.

Form: 54-21U1

Forecasts

Secret Des Dieux (3/1), Pure Carbon (7/2), Tapley (7/2), Chuggy (9/2), Rightsotom (11/2), Jorebel (10/1)

There should be more to come from PURE CARBON, who probably would've won by a wider margin but for a couple of late mistakes at Musselburgh and a 3 lb rise almost certainly underestimates him. Chuggy wasn't able to show what he can do at Aintree when last seen over Christmas but he will be a threat if ready to roll following a break, while Rightsotom should also have a part to play.