Lightning Novices’ Chase Guide

Runners:

Lalor and Dynamite Dollars look set to clash once again in the Grade Two Lightning Novices Chase at Doncaster on Saturday.

Kayley Woollacott's stablestar got off to a flying start over fences back in November in an Arkle Trial at the Festival venue, comfortably in command over the Paul Nicholls 6yo.

However Dollars easily reversed the form on soft ground in the Henry VIII at Sandown, and went onto to beat another leading two-mile Novice candidate Kalashnikov over Christmas.

The market is still very tight for the real Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival in under six weeks time, and although Dynamite Dollars probably has the strongest form in the book to date, he will not want the ground too quick.

Hoping to upset the two above will be Mick Channon's Glen Forsa, who has won on his two most recent starts.

His latest win came on Boxing Day at Kempton in the 32Red.com Chase, form that has been boosted with the second and fourth both winning with plenty in hand since.

Meanwhile, Knocknanuss has burst on the scene for Gary Moore, and was only beaten by the-then strong favourite for the JLT; French raider Master Dino, who was ruled out for the season with an unfortunate injury.

The 9yo has won at both Newbury and Fakenham by double figure margins, and surely is in with a chance here. Moore also has Templier, who only raced on the flat two weeks ago.

Dan Skelton's Peppay Le Pugh was a clear winner over this course and distance at the back end of November.

Owned by the Hools and Forces Partnership, the 8yo has not been out the top three in the placings when standing up to his fences in fourteen attempts - a run stretching back to December 2017.

Alan King boasts a good record in this race in recent years and saddles Ballywood, who like Le Pugh has a course and distance success to his name - also on his most recent outing on a racecourse.

Shady Oaks, Ravenhill Road and Moyhenna complete the field.