Howden Graduation Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 23.63s

Danny Whizzbang^t,v²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: M F Harris| OR: 130

50/1

Looked excellent prospect for Paul Nicholls when taking Grade 2 novice but failed to go on as expected. Moved yards and ran no sort of race in the Ladbrokes Trophy on reappearance.

Form: 3/7P54-P

Ex Patriot⁴¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden| OR: 144

22/1

Consistent and useful chaser in Ireland at up to 22.6f. No impact over hurdles on return in October 2020 and off again since.

Form: 12344/9-

Messire Des Obeaux²⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 147| BF| D

7/1

Formerly a smart novice hurdler and winner of first 2 chase starts at Wincanton (both at 2½m), including the Grade 2 Dipper. Went wrong when looking the winner at Wetherby in March and off since.

Form: 34/114P-

Pencilfulloflead^t1³²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| BF

9/4

Lots to like about his profile, winning hurdler in 2019-20 and better form over fences last term, scoring in a Grade 2 at Punchestown. More to come and he's the one to beat on return. Tongue tied.

Form: 14/1123-

Black Op^p,t⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 142| D

17/2

Cut little ice in the face of stiff tasks last season and disappointing he didn't show more in veterans company at Aintree in October. Massive player on his best form but he isn't the force of old.

Form: 4967F-5

L'Homme Presse¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 136

6/5

Lightly-raced 6-y-o who returned from long absence to land a Chepstow novice hurdle on British/yard debut in April. Excellent start over fences when successful 3 weeks ago and there's more to come.

Form: 52/16-1

Legends Ryde^t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Page Fuller| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 125

18/1

Fair winning hurdler who was well prepared to land a handicap chase on debut over fences at Ffos Las in October. Lacks the class of a few of these but does receive weight all round,

Form: 62P3P-1

Forecasts

L'Homme Presse (6/5), Pencilfulloflead (9/4), Messire Des Obeaux (7/1), Black Op (17/2), Legends Ryde (18/1), Ex Patriot (22/1), Danny Whizzbang (50/1)

There's surely more to come from second-season chaser PENCILFULLOFLEAD and this looks a very suitable starting point switched to Britain. Messire des Obeaux is a pretty talented opponent, while L'Homme Presse created a very favourable impression at Exeter.