13:20 Cheltenham

Thursday 18 March 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Marsh Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 5m 1.75s

Asterion Forlonge^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| D

14/1

Smart winning hurdler who has matched that level over fences, though he was completing for first time in three runs when fourth to stablemate Monkfish in the Flogas Novices' Chase at Leopardstown.

Form: 14-1FF4

Blackbow^h,t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153

40/1

Made winning chase debut at Navan in November but stable-companion Energumene has comfortably had his measure on both completed starts since. No disgrace in that and step up in trip should suit.

Form: 42-1F33

Chantry House²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 151| BF| C

9/1

Supreme Hurdle third 12 months ago and made it 2-3 over fences with comfortable success in a Wetherby novice last month. Capable of better still, but this demands a sizeable step forward.

Form: 113-131

Chatham Street Lad⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M Winters| OR: 156| BF| C

14/1

Much improved when easily landing Caspian Caviar Gold Cup here (2m4f) in December. Not quite as effective back in trip when third at Fairyhouse a month later and this is a hike in class.

Form: 5-15113

Darver Star^t⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 154| D

33/1

Smart hurdler (third in last year's Champion Hurdle). Reached similar level over fences when second to Franco de Port in Leopardstown Grade 1 over Christmas but well held there since.

Form: 23-1327

Envoi Allen^t⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 164| C| D

4/9

Still on a remarkable unbeaten run and 3-3 over fences after easily landing Grade 3 at Punchestown in January. Top-class prospect who has scored at last two Festivals. Hard to beat for new yard.

Form: 111-111

Fusil Raffles⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152| C

14/1

Smart hurdler who made it 3-4 over fences in 2m4f novice here in December, though he got up only late on as runner-up faltered. Goes well fresh but he's still not the most fluent of jumpers.

Form: P0-11P1

Shan Blue⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 152| BF

10/1

Completed hat-trick over fences in Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and similar form when second to Sporting John in Scilly Isles at Sandown. Jumping looks an asset.

Form: 26-1112

Forecasts

Envoi Allen (4/9), Chantry House (9/1), Shan Blue (10/1), Fusil Raffles (14/1), Asterion Forlonge (14/1), Chatham Street Lad (14/1), Darver Star (33/1), Blackbow (40/1)

ENVOI ALLEN has passed each test with flying colours and is as exciting a chase prospect as there is around. A stable switch is unlikely to have an impact and he's rightly a short price to extend his winning sequence to 13. Shan Blue wasn't within hailing distance of the selection in the Ballymore a year ago but he's taken really well to chasing and is offered for the forecast.