George & Dragon Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 36.92s

Duel Au Soleil^t,v¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 111

4/1

Won on handicap hurdle debut at Wetherby (21f) last season and has made an encouraging start to life as a chaser, finishing in the frame on both outings, in front plenty soon enough when 15¾ lengths fourth of 11 at Worcester last time. May yet do better.

Form: 13283-4

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

The Long Walk^b1,t1⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 109| D

8/1

Fair winning hurdler who has a hit-and-miss profile and failed to meet expectations when well beaten in a handicap at Worcester last month. Switches to chasing now with first-time blinkers and tongue strap applied.

Form: P3P82-9

Whatyouwaitingfor³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 108| D

1/1

Maiden hurdle winner for the Twiston-Davies yard last summer. Has progressed with each run over fences for current yard, looking unlucky not to win when ½-length second of 7 in 17f course handicap 33 days ago. Capable of going one better here.

Form: 1223-32

Mary^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 105| C| D

3/1

Looked set to go close again when taking another late fall in a novice handicap chase at Bangor in May and shaped as if still in good form when 11½ lengths third of 6 to Mighty Fleur at Uttoxeter 21 days later. Capable of being involved with a clear round of jumping.

Form: 145-2F3

Hooper^t³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 103| CD

16/1

Lost his way for the Nicky Henderson yard but has shown a bit more encouragement in 2 hurdle outings for current connections. He returns to chasing for the first time in over 4 years, having failed to build on a promising chase debut during his first stint.

Form: 349P/52

Forecasts

Whatyouwaitingfor (1/1), Mary (3/1), Duel Au Soleil (4/1), The Long Walk (8/1), Hooper (16/1)

WHATYOUWAITINGFOR was a close second at this track last month and can go one better with a clean round of jumping and a clearer run. Duel Au Soleil has shaped with encouragement on his last 2 starts and looks the main danger, whilst Mary is also respected on her best efforts.