John Romans Park Homes 'Rising Stars' Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 5m 31.50s

Kalondra^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 147| D

15/8

Successful four times over hurdles and made a winning chase debut when justifying odds-on favouritism at Sedgefield (good-to-soft) last month. Likely to play a leading role today.

Form: 15104-1

Modus¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| D

4/6

Made up into a useful hurdle and off the mark over fences when winning over an extended 2m4f at Bangor (good) recently. Stable are in good form at present (9/45) and he is likely to prove hard to beat in this contest.

Form: 27165-1

Valhalla^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130| BF

7/1

Dual winning hurdler and placed twice from three starts so far over fences. Latest of those efforts came when third of six at Ludlow (2m, good) last month and he looks up against it on these terms.

Form: P168-33

Forecasts

Modus (4/6), Kalondra (15/8), Valhalla (7/1)

Trainer Paul Nicholls has won this contest three times in the last four years and his MODUS can take this years renewal. The classy hurdler made a winning debut over fences last month and with the trip and forecast underfoot conditions likely to suit he can defeat Kalondra who also made a winning debut over fences while Valhalla can claim third place prize money today.