Sky Sports Racing Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 7m 5.20s

Kick Up A Storm^t⁵¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117| BF

7/1

Three-time winner over hurdles at up to 25f but made an inauspicious start over fences back from an absence here when last seen 17 months ago (reportedly lame). Best watched on return.

Form: 5U118/P-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Mask Of Zorro²⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 116| BF

5/2

Improved at a rate of knots in handicap hurdles last season, again displaying all his battling qualities when making all to bring up the 4-timer at Doncaster in January. Found the demands of Bangor's hurdles track against him when last seen but should do well over fences in 2026/27 and yard flying.

Form: 411114-

Not A Light²⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Stenhouse⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 110

9/2

Hurdles winner back from 2 years off and ran well in 25f Wincanton novice handicap chase in January. Poor effort at Catterick next time and changed hands for just £1,500 in May (albeit retained by the yard). Wouldn't completely dismiss on return.

Form: 17/642P-

Badbury Rings²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 108

15/8

On the up in 3m handicap hurdles in February 2025, winning at Wincanton and Taunton. Offered a bit on return from 20 months off on chase debut at Worcester 3 weeks ago, making mistakes but not knocked about. Should build on that if his jumping becomes more polished.

Form: 63211/4

Woodythewoodpecker²⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Mrs C Williams| OR: 101

5/1

Was holding his form without success in handicap hurdles around 3¼m when last seen. Bred for chasing and could do better in this sphere although he'll find easier openings.

Form: 357223-

Non-Runners

Fairye Forth¹⁷⁶

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: Miss R Curtis J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Fairye Forth (6/4), Badbury Rings (15/8), Mask Of Zorro (5/2), Not A Light (9/2), Woodythewoodpecker (5/1), Kick Up A Storm (7/1)

FAIRYE FORTH is an appealing chasing debutant and is taken to make a winning start in this sphere for the in-form Rebecca Curtis. Mask of Zorro should do well over fences and is a big danger, while Badbury Rings can build on his opening effort in this sphere at Worcester if his jumping becomes more polished.