Read Nicky Henderson's Unibet Blog Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:55 | Winning time: 5m 20.57s

Allart³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152

10/11

Made up into a useful hurdler last season and ran to a high level first time up over fences despite his jumping taking time to come together when scoring in Grade 2 at Ascot 5 weeks ago. Will improve.

Form: 3/F115-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Marown⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 135| D

9/2

Dual hurdle winner at Ayr over 20.5f in the mud last term. Lost unbeaten record when third on chase bow (2m) in November but duly built on that when scoring there a month later. Will go on improving.

Form: 1/11-31

Silver Hallmark⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: F O'Brien| OR: 145

2/1

Winning Irish pointer who made promising start under Rules, successful on hurdling debut in November 2019. Shaped with plenty of encouragement on chasing debut 10 weeks ago and is sure to improve.

Form: 3/17-2

Galahad Quest²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Nick Williams| OR: 130

25/1

Grade 2 juvenile hurdle winner last season and has made a positive start to this campaign in France. However, didn't take to chasing at the first attempt on Boxing Day and looks up against it here.

Form: 210-749

Non-Runners

Empire Steel⁵⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: A M Thomson J: Ryan Mania

Forecasts

Allart (10/11), Silver Hallmark (2/1), Marown (9/2), Empire Steel (12/1), Galahad Quest (25/1)

ALLART marked himself as a most exciting prospect when making a successful chasing debut in the Grade 2 Noel Novices' Chase at Ascot last month, warming to the task after at least 4 errors of varying severity through the first two-thirds of the race. He looks sure to improve and rates the one to beat. Silver Hallmark narrowly shades the vote for the forecast spot, ahead of Marown.