'Book Christmas Festival Hospitality Now' Beginners' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 37.54s

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Selected odds by:

Gidleigh Park²⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 138

10/11

Winner of 3 of of his 4 starts over hurdles last season, including a Cheltenham Grade 2. Sole defeat came when sixth of 13 in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival there in March and this 6-y-o, who is closely related to Denman, is a very interesting recruit to the chasing ranks.

Form: 1/1116-

Iberico Lord²⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144

13/8

Made up into a smart hurdler last term, winning a couple of big handicaps, including the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. Best to overlook his effort in the Champion Hurdle on final run of that campaign (yard was under a cloud at that time) and he's an exciting prospect now switched to fences.

Form: 12/171P-

Leave Of Absence^t1⁷⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| C

11/1

Useful bumper form in 2022, winning here and at Newbury before excellent third in Aintree Grade 2. Got the better of some decent types when scoring on sole hurdles start at Ascot in October of that year and, though absent since, his profile is an attractive going into this yard/chase debut.

Form: 31131/

The Four Sixes²²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 134

11/1

Found improvement on debut for Olly Murphy when winning 6-runner handicap hurdle at Wetherby last December. Placed all 3 subsequent completed starts, runner-up in a Class 2 handicap at Ayr when last seen during the spring, and he appeals as the type to make up into a better chaser.

Form: 4132F2-

Forecasts

Gidleigh Park (10/11), Iberico Lord (13/8), Leave Of Absence (11/1), The Four Sixes (11/1)

A small but select field of chase debutants on show, with GIDLEIGH PARK and Iberico Lord particularly interesting given their hurdles exploits. This scenario may not be ideal for the latter, who appears to be suited by the hustle and bustle of big fields and, moreover, arriving late on the scene in a strongly-run race. Indeed, Gidleigh Park could be better-equipped for this particular assignment and he shades preference. The Four Sixes is third choice ahead of Leave of Absence.