Last Ran: 1st January 2009

The Grade 2 Utopia Group Dipper Novices Chase brings together all the best novices for what is usually a closely matched contest and this year is no different.

Paul Nicholls has Kicks For Free who scored at Aintree in October in his seasonal return before coming runner up to Market Man in the Berkshire Novices Chase in November. He suffered under pressure and needs to prove here that he can go into battle with the best.

Calgary Bay, came third in the Tolworth last season and was last seen runner up at Doncaster in the James Murphy Novices Chase where he made his chasing debut and Tartak, a progressive sort that was last seen coming runner up in the Grade 2 Worcester Novices Chase in November, he looks set to produce a great run here.

Howard Johnsons Kealshore Boy made his chasing debut in November at Newcastle arriving home first. He didn't set the world alight but could turn into a decent sort.

The Cool Guy came runner up in a beginers Chase at Hereford in November, his first race since February 2007 due to injury. He made a series of blunders which didn't help his cause, it will be interesting to see if he performs better after his return to work debut.