Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 3m 59.30s

Boothill^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 147| D

9/2

Useful hurdles winner who was right back on track when making his second chase outing a winning one at Newton Abbot in October. Took his form up a level when following up in a competitive contest at Ascot a fortnight ago and with better still to come, he looks the biggest danger to Jonbon.

Form: 492-P11

Honneur D'Ajonc²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 123

100/1

Built up a good strike rate over hurdles last season, gaining fourth victory in a Wincanton novice (15.2f) in February. Little to shout about on both outings over fences this term though, so he shouldn't be troubling the main protagonists.

Form: 2114-57

Jonbon¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152| D

2/11

Brother to top-class Douvan and made up into a smart novice hurdler last term, going 4-5 with success in Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree in April. Looked potentially out of the top drawer when bolting up on chase debut/return at Warwick last month so he should take all the beating today.

Form: 11121-1

Unexpected Party¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Skelton| OR: 141

22/1

Progressed well in handicap hurdles last season, winning at Wetherby and Ascot. Encouraging debut in this sphere having had another breathing operation when runner-up on return at Exeter (19.2f, good to soft) last month and he seems sure to do better over fences.

Form: 1221P-2

Forecasts

Jonbon (2/11), Boothill (9/2), Unexpected Party (22/1), Honneur D'Ajonc (100/1)

It's tough to look beyond JONBON, who couldn't have been any more impressive on his highly-anticipated chasing debut at Warwick last month, and with Nicky Henderson's star likely to prove one of the best in the division this campaign, he should take all the beating. Boothill put up a smart performance on just his third start over fences when winning at Ascot a fortnight ago and he looks the most obvious selection for forecast purposes.