Planteur At Chapel Stud Henry VIII Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 3m 57.94s

Eldorado Allen²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 149| CD

3/1

Useful over hurdles and perfect start over fences at Newton Abbot in October. Fortuitous winner of a Cheltenham Grade 2 next time (held when left well clear 2 out), but commands respect nonetheless.

Form: U/230-11

Phoenix Way^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: H Fry| OR: 145| D

11/1

Winner of 2 of his 4 starts over hurdles and successful start to chase career when landing a 3-runner Warwick novice (2m) 17 days ago. Clearly a smart prospect, but this is a much tougher assignment.

Form: 1521/1-1

Allmankind^h,t²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 153| D

2/1

One of the best juvenile hurdlers around last season and put in a flawless round of jumping when coasting home on chase debut at Warwick. Open to improvement in this sphere and he's the one to beat.

Form: 1113-31

Ga Law²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 150

11/2

French recruit who has made a very good impression switched to fences this season, making it 3-3 in this sphere in a Wincanton Grade 2 last month. Probably capable of better still and merits respect.

Form: 16-111

Hitman²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| D

11/4

Hurdles winner for Guillaume Macaire in France and came home in splendid isolation on chase debut for new yard at Ffos Las last month. Armed with plenty of potential and he has to be feared.

Form: 2P1-1

Non-Runners

Tamaroc Du Mathan¹⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: P F Nicholls J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Allmankind (2/1), Hitman (11/4), Eldorado Allen (3/1), Ga Law (11/2), Tamaroc Du Mathan (7/1), Phoenix Way (11/1)

A small but select field and cases can be made for each member of the sextet. ELDORADO ALLEN was a fortunate winner at Cheltenham last time and has to concede weight to a trio of exciting 4-y-os in Allmankind, Ga Law and Hitman. Conversely, there's real substance to his form and his sure-footed jumping will stand him in good stead round here in what is bound to be a strongly-run race.