Betway Kingmaker Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 8.26s

North Hill Harvey⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 149| D

11/4

Classy novice hurdler a couple of seasons ago and winner of two of his three chase starts this term. Beaten 11L into second in a Grade 1 contest at Sandown (good-to-soft) last time and he is a leading contender today.

Form: 100-112

Diego Du Charmil^t¹²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143| BF| D

11/1

Made a winning debut over fences on good-to-soft ground at Newton Abbot in September. Disappointing odds-on favourite there subsequently but not written off just yet.

Form: 9010-13

Drumcliff^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry| OR: 141| D

14/1

Unbeaten in two starts over fences with both of those victories coming in handicap company. Impressive winner of an amateur riders contest at Ascot (2m3f, soft) last time and stepping up in class today.

Form: 25B-011

Saint Calvados²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: H Whittington| OR: 154| D

4/9

Winner three times over hurdles in France and unbeaten in two outings over fences at Newbury since joining this stable. Most recent of those came off a mark of 147 on soft ground last month and he is one for the shortlist today.

Form: 1116-11

Forecasts

Saint Calvados (4/9), North Hill Harvey (11/4), Diego Du Charmil (11/1), Drumcliff (14/1)

A hot looking novice chase which can see the highly promising and unbeaten chaser SAINT CALVADOS maintain his 100% record since joining this yard from France last year. The selection receives weight from all of his rivals today and he is taken to see off the top weight North Hill Harvey who has to defy a penalty here having run out the imperssive winner of a Grade 2 contest on his penultimate outing. Drumcliff can get the better of Diego Du Charmil to finish third with the latter's best form coming on ground significantly quicker than is forecast today.