Agetur UK Kingmaker Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 4m 0.10s

Djingle^h⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: J Queally| OR: 150| D

20/1

Highly experienced for a novice and registered two wins with 2m1f success at Listowel followed by 2m Grade 3 success at Roscommon. Beaten when falling at the last at Carlisle however and outclassed in Grade 1 last week. Tough ask conceding weight.

Form: 3311F4

Moonlighter²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: Nick Williams| OR: 143| D

10/1

Had twice unseated rider before finally getting his act together when joining this yard to beat Precious Cargo a short head at Newbury although that rival conceded 3lb. Will have to improve to retain supremacy albeit not by much.

Form: F7-U2U1

Nube Negra^t⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 153| CD

5/4

Useful hurdler but improved this season over fences with impressive wins at Warwick (by 3L) and Fakenham (by 10L). Second in Grade 1 Henry VIII at Sandown latest is standout form and even though it wasn't a vintage renewal he looks the one to beat.

Form: B36-112

Precious Cargo^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145| BF| D

11/2

Improving hurdler hosed up on chase debut at Haydock before going down by a short head to Moonlighter at Newbury. That rival was receiving 3lb and the more experienced of the duo so reversal today is expected.

Form: 0/116-12

Rouge Vif^t1⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 150| D

7/2

Grade 2 winner and Grade 1 placed hurdler won well at Market Rasen on chase debut before last of four in Cheltenham Grade 2. Back on song with 1½L second in Kempton Grade 2 over Christmas and respected here.

Form: 113-142

Torpillo^h⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 147| BF| CD

9/2

Kept good company this season and defeat of smart Mister Fisher lead to him being favourite for Grade 1 Henry VIII at Sandown but his jumping fell apart under pressure and he was well behind Nube Negra. Bounce back distinctly possible.

Form: 40-1314

Forecasts

Nube Negra (5/4), Rouge Vif (7/2), Torpillo (9/2), Precious Cargo (11/2), Moonlighter (10/1), Djingle (20/1)

All evidence points to Dan Skelton's novice NUBE NEGRA who pushed Esprit Du Large all the way up the Sandown hill last time out in Grade 1 company and that plus his two comfortable wins beforehand give him the most persuasive case today. Nigel Twiston-Davies, Nicky Henderson and Harry Whittington have all won this race in the last decade and their challengers Torpillo, Precious Cargo and Rouge Vif respectively all merit respect. The Seven Barrows representative looks open to most improvement.