Big Buck's Celebration Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 16.5s

Brain Power^t1³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 155

5/2

Picked up the pieces to finish second in the Arkle at Cheltenham last month. Chase debut form at Kempton would give him claims here on second start after wind surgery. Tongue-tie added today, up in trip.

Form: 85-1UF2

Calino D'Airy¹⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 138

33/1

Winner of a pair of minor chases at Galway in October, well beaten in Grade 2 novice / handicap debut since and that leaves him with significant improvement to find amongst this field.

Form: 6F-1130

Cyrname^h,t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| D

2/1

Three wins from five over fences this season. Second to subsequent JLT runner-up Terrefort in Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown on penultimate run, before easily taking Kempton Grade 2 since. Potentially going to improve again.

Form: 712121

Finian's Oscar^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 151| CD

5/2

Top novice hurdler last season, highlighted with victory over 2m4f at this meeting. Couple of chase wins early this term, doesn't convince with his fencing however and disappointing in the JLT last month after a wind operation. Jury remains out.

Form: 1132P5

Modus²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154| D

14/1

Talented hurdler, has delivered three wins from five starts over fences this season but came up well short last month in the JLT at Cheltenham and potentially just lacks a bit for Grade 1 class.

Form: 5-11F18

Rene's Girl⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 141| D

8/1

Mare going from strength to strength this season over fences, as evidenced in Listed wins at Doncaster and Huntingdon since turn of the year (both over similar trips on soft). Jumps very well and weight allowance is helpful; not ruled out.

Form: 2F1311

Forecasts

Cyrname (2/1), Finian's Oscar (5/2), Brain Power (5/2), Rene's Girl (8/1), Modus (14/1), Calino D'Airy (33/1)

Brain Power was a beneficiary of the frantic pace that was set by Petit Mouchoir and Saint Calvados in the Arkle last month, managing to come through and take second spot from the former. There are still a few questions over his jumping however and CYRNAME could have his measure today. The form of his Scilly Isles Novices' Chase second was boosted at Cheltenham and, with a smooth Kempton success since and the benefit of skipping the Cotswolds last month, he may take some stopping. The mare Rene's Girl is a sound jumper and cannot be discounted getting weight.