GOOD novice chasing efforts have been coming at us thick and fast of late, and, while this is not yet a vintage campaign in the way that last season’s proved to be (think Might Bite, Thistlecrack, Altior and Our Duke), there is considerable strength in depth on show. A summary is called for.

Presenting Percy (153) and Death Duty (151) - both mentioned elsewhere - are in second and third on time among novice chasers, behind Brain Power (154), who beat little but smashed the clock when winning at Kempton recently by 28 lengths. The likelihood is that Brain Power will prove to be an Arkle horse.