WORCESTER raccgoers are in for a treat today as the Grade Two Worcester Novices' Chase promises to be the best race seen on the course for several years.

Potential stars abound in an 11-runner field which looks every bit as good as the 1992 running, when Barton Bank beat Superior Finish and Young Hustler.

Pride of place goes to last season's best novice hurdler Pleasure Shared, who showed high-class form with victory in the Letheby and Christopher Long Distance Hurdle at Ascot in April.

Pleasure Shared is one of the best hurdlers to go chasing in recent years but this is far from a one-horse race.

Castlekellyleader is sure to be popular, having joined Paul Nicholls in the summer with a justifiably high reputation after proving second only to Urubande among novice hurdlers in Ireland last term when with Paddy Mullins.

His new trainer did well with another import Deep Bramble a couple of seasons ago and can certainly teach a young horse to jump fences judged on the recent exploits of the highly promising See More Business.

Jenny Pitman's runners in novice chases can never be ignored and Royal Athlete's half-brother Tennessee Twist, who progressed into a useful hurdler last term, looks just the type to take to fences.

The smart form shown by Bankhead in point-to-points must also put him into the reckoning while useful hurdler Wisley Wonder is well worth another chance after slipping up on his chasing debut last week.

But Around The Gale could prove the best bet to come out on top in a high-class field. He showed bundles of promise in winning two of his last three starts over hurdles for David Gandolfo last term.

And he looked very much one to follow over fences when he destroyed the opposition in a novice chase at Bangor 11 days ago, coping with the obstacles like an old hand and sauntering to a very easy 12-length victory.

That chasing experience gives him an edge over his main rivals today when the step up to an extended 23 furlongs will be very much in his favour.