Novices' Hurdle Chase

Closing the first day of the festival, we have a really tricky puzzle with a

Trends

- 9 of the last 13 finished 1st or 2nd LTO

- 7 of the last 11 had won no more than once over fences

- 6 of the last 11 were rated between 133 and 125

- 5 of the last 11 winners were aged seven

- 9 of the 11 winners were held-up

- 11 of the 13 winners were 12/1 or shorter

Our Picks

It's a tricky one with a full field, full of puzzles which don't give up their answers easily. There's a full mix in this one, and we'll be happy to take a trio against the field here.

We'll start with Testify who looks worth backing at 11/1 with Sky Bet giving two extra places in this one, and Betway offering money back up to a tenner if you back a loser. He is a runner who will absolutely love the heavy ground, and is yet to be found out in a chase by anything he's tackled. He is a real front runner, and that could be a challenge, but he'll bid to make all, and looks to have the ability if the cards fall right for him.

Barmey Dwan comes here on a winning run, and was actually dropped down the weights for his last victory so has to have a chance. Noel Fehily will be aboard which is another positive and he definitely has the ability to run another big race. He's 9/1 with Sky Bet or Betway.

Finally, Le Rocher is the outsider who has won tougher races than this in the past. He really loves the heavy ground so should excel where others falter. He's won five if his seven starts on genuinely heavy ground and while he might not have much more than should be expected of him, he should revel in the conditions and could have enough to justify an ew bet at 16/1.

1pt ew Tesify at 11/1 (SkyBet)

1pt ew Barney Dwan at 9/1 (Betway)

1pt Le Rocher at 16/1 (General)

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