Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 6m 21.92s

Ahoy Senor²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 157| CD

4/1

Unbeaten hurdler (landed Grade 1 Sefton here 12 months ago) and fine start over fences, emphatically landing Newbury Gr. 2 in November. Runner-up to Bravemansgame/L'Homme Presse in Grade 1's on 2 of 3 starts since and he's undoubtedly capable of better still if polishing up his jumping.

Form: 1-U1212

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Bravemansgame⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 164

11/8

Smart novice hurdler who has looked a natural over fences, impressive when defeating Ahoy Senor in Kauto Star novices' and maintained 100% record in Newbury novices' handicap in February. Skipped intended Cheltenham engagement on account of the ground and serious player up at Grade 1 level here.

Form: 32-1111

Fury Road^p,t⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 160

14/1

Smart at best over hurdles and bright start over fences this winter, his jumping looking assured as he landed Grade 1 Topaz novice chase (in first-time cheekpieces) at Leopardstown in December. Rare mistake caught him out back there latest and expected to give a good account.

Form: PP-2315

L'Homme Presse²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 164

7/4

Low-mileage 7-y-o who has gone from strength-to-strength over fences, travelling/jumping brilliantly to make it 5-5 in Grade 1 Brown Advisory (24.3f) at Cheltenham, from Ahoy Senor. Highly likely there's more to come at this sort of trip and he's high on the shortlist once more.

Form: 6-11111

Forecasts

Bravemansgame (11/8), L'Homme Presse (7/4), Ahoy Senor (4/1), Fury Road (14/1)

A mouth-watering clash for all there is only the 4 runners, with the narrow vote in favour of Paul Nicholls' BRAVEMANSGAME. He's made a seamless transition to chasing, landing the Kauto Star over Christmas and maintaining his 100% record at Newbury in February. Fresh having skipped Cheltenham, this looks tailor-made for him. Fellow unbeaten chaser L'Homme Presse is a major threat having landed the Gr 1 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, whilst Ahoy Senor can do better still if improving his jumping.