Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 6m 17.15s

Black Op^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 151| D

9/4

Gr 1 winning hurdler (Mersey-Aintree); often played second fiddle to JP McManus-owned runners over fences, namely Defi Du Seuil (Dipper) and more latterly the unbeaten Champ at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft); the extra yardage will present few fears.

Form: 3304-12

Danny Whizzbang^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| D

6/1

Bought out of the Irish point scene for €115,000; unbeaten under rules (3-3), raising his game markedly on chasing debut in the Gr 2 John Francome Novices' at Newbury (2m7½f, gd/sft), beating Reserve Tank by 4L; a stablemate of Master Tommytucker.

Form: P1/11-1

Jarveys Plate^p1³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 149| BF

10/1

Impressive when winning a Listed novices' hurdle at Cheltenham (2m4f, gd/sft) on New Year's Day; beaten in Gr 1-2 contests thereafter; turned over the talented Reserve Tank on chasing bow at Chepstow (2m3½f, soft) before under-performing at Haydock.

Form: 2139-14

Master Tommytucker^h,t1³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| C

5/2

Injured after falling on chasing debut (was travelling strongly) at Chepstow and forced to miss the remainder of the 2018/19 season; back with a bang here recently (2m2f) rallying to down the Northumberland Plate hero Who Dares Wins; steps up to 3m.

Form: 11/F-1

Redzor^p1,t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

25/1

Made a solid start to life over fences winning by 21L at Fakenham (3m, good) in October and wasn't disgraced when third (beaten 5¼L) to Wholestone at Cheltenham (3m, soft) subsequently; that said, has plenty to find at level weights in this company.

Form: 5127-13

Slate House^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 153| D

3/1

Immensely talented, albeit has had a career punctuated by wind ops; most effective at Cheltenham, and would surely have played a major hand in the Gr 3 Bet Victor (2m4¼f, soft) but for a late fall; has since made amends at Huntingdon.

Form: 528-1F1

The Mighty Don³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: N J Gifford| OR: 140| D

33/1

After a dismal first start over fences, he was switched back to hurdles to take a Pertemps Series Qualifier at Cheltenham in Oct 2018; much improved over the larger obstacles this season (334) but isn't in the same league as some of these opponents.

Form: 408-334

Forecasts

Black Op (9/4), Master Tommytucker (5/2), Slate House (3/1), Danny Whizzbang (6/1), Jarveys Plate (10/1), Redzor (25/1), The Mighty Don (33/1)

The Kauto Star Novices' Chase has a long list of illustrious winners, including Long Run (2009) and Coneygree (2014). Paul Nicholls has taken the contest on four occasions (1993, 2003, 2008 & 2017) and he saddles a strong candidate in the shape of the promising MASTER TOMMYTUCKER. He suffered a hairline fracture to a small bone in his knee when falling on chasing debut at Chepstow, and was forced to miss the remainder of the 2018/19 season. Back with a bang (rallied) over 2m2f here four weeks ago, he is certain to relish the step up in trip (to 3m) and may have more improvement in the locker than Black Op, Slate House and his unbeaten stablemate Danny Whizzbang.