'This looks the right race for him' - who thinks they've found an ideal opening?

Tuesday: 1.50 Doncaster
Sky Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) | 2m4½f | 5yo+ | Sky TV

The previous running of this novice handicap chase proved essential form to follow as six of the eight to line up on Town Moor landed at least one race subsequently.

Although this season’s turnout is skinnier, there are three particularly interesting profiles and the early market deems Bold Endeavour the likeliest winner for Nicky Henderson.

Nico de Boinville heads to South Yorkshire for just the one ride, and Bold Endeavour looked a novice to follow when making all to score by an easy ten lengths at Leicester on good to firm going in December.

That was a major improvement on his chasing debut at Carlisle in which a bad mistake at the tenth ended his chances and Adam Wedge pulled him up.

A 9lb rise demands more on a slower surface and Bold Endeavour meets a talented foe in Skytastic.

The pair met in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle last April where Skytastic was sent off half the price of Bold Endeavour, but reopposes here on 7lb better terms.

Skytastic made a bad mistake on his chasing debut which appeared to knock his confidence, but it is likely he will build on that initial experience, as Bold Endeavour did, and if he jumps with greater proficiency he represents a great danger to the favourite at a track where he is unbeaten (2-2).

The final word goes to the Nicky Richards-trained chasing newcomer Famous Bridge, another who was campaigned at a higher level over hurdles.

The stats tell you that backing Richards-trained handicap chasers at Doncaster to a £1 stake since April 2018 has yielded an eyecatching £53.25 profit (5-18, 28 per cent), although Famous Bridge might be best watched first time out.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Bold Endeavour
We’ve been looking for some nice ground as he did it very well on good to firm at Leicester last time. This looks the right race and we may well go up in trip with him later on.

Sam Twiston-Davies, rider of Skytastic
He got a fright early on first time over fences at Warwick, but I schooled him last week and he was very good. Hopefully he can get back on track and run a nice race.

Toby Lawes, trainer of Zacony Rebel
They took some of the fences out at Taunton last time which didn’t suit as he got out of the rhythm of jumping and walked through the third-last. Some of his form is stacking up well, so hopefully he can bounce back. We’re trying a longer trip, which should suit.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Famous Bridge
He’s a grand horse who won a nice race over hurdles at Kelso last season, but picked up a small injury after that which has put us back until now. We hope he has a nice pop round to set himself up for a campaign over fences.

Brian Ellison, trainer of Baron De Midleton
He seems to like better ground, so hopefully it stays dry as he doesn’t want a slog. He’s in good fettle at home.
Reporting by David Milnes

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