W.R.Partners Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 4f 11y | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117| D

Back-to-back 2m hurdle winner last season. Yet to score over fences this term but posted his best effort in this sphere when second of 4 in 2m Windsor handicap on New Year's Day. Needs considering stepped up in trip.

Form: 12-2242

Batwomen^t⁵⁶

5/2

Dual hurdle winner last season. Made a promising start to her chase career in handicaps (around 2½m) and seemed not to get home over 3m when an odds-on third at Huntingdon in January. Has since had a breathing operation and remains with potential. Likely player.

Form: 31-3363

Gris Majeur¹¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Jones| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 113| CD

3/1

Resumed with C&D success in October and he backed that up with solid placed efforts at Hereford and Taunton following month. Has won off a break so must enter calculations.

Form: PP2-123

The Winslow Boy⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 112

7/2

A fair 2m winning hurdler last term. Started out over fences with an encouraging third in 2m Chepstow handicap in November and best forgiven his latest run at Hereford in January when slithered on landing around halfway and pulled up. Can make his presence felt after a break.

Form: 310P-3P

Sun Art^t⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 110| C

14/1

Ended last term with 2m hurdles success here. However, below par in a couple of hurdles runs this term before finishing a tailed-off fifth switched to fences in 2m Leicester handicap in December. Lots to prove after a break.

Form: 351-345

Kay Tara Tara^p,t⁴⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 103| D

8/1

Ended her time with Alan King under a cloud in 2024 but much better signs for her current yard when (cheekpieces fitted) second in Newcastle handicap 16 months ago. Needs to hit the ground running now going chasing after a long absence, though.

Form: 22P/952-

Forecasts

Bond Broker (13/8), Gris Majeur (3/1), The Winslow Boy (5/1), Batwomen (11/2), Kay Tara Tara (10/1), Sun Art (10/1)

BATWOMEN failed to build on earlier promise when third at Huntingdon last time but could still prove the way to go given she looked to find the step up to 3m beyond her and now reverts to her optimum trip on the back of a breathing operation. Gris Majeur goes well fresh so this C&D scorer could emerge as the main danger ahead of The Winslow Boy and Bond Broker.