13:30 Cheltenham

Thursday 16 March 2023

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

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

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 1.94s

Appreciate It⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| BF| C| D

3/1

2021 Supreme Hurdle winner who scored easily on his first two runs over fences at Punchestown and Naas before posting very good third to El Fabiolo in Irish Arkle at Leopardstown (17f) 40 days ago. Still has few miles on the clock so well in the mix with this longer trip a likely plus.

Form: 11/6-113

Balco Coastal⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 151| D

16/1

Two-time novice hurdle winner who has improved a chunk with each of his three starts over fences, easily scoring at Kempton before runner-up to Gerri Colombe in Scilly Isles at Sandown (20f) 40 days ago. Much respected.

Form: 2P3-512

James Du Berlais³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151

16/1

Smart hurdler who really impressed when winning 21f novice chase at Fairyhouse on his debut over fences in January. Came in last of 6 to Mighty Potter in Scalp Chase at Leopardstown since however so has it to prove now.

Form: 9/2-16

Mighty Potter³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 162| D

4/6

Dual Grade 1-winning hurdler who has looked an outstanding prospect over fences this term, storming clear from the last when completing his hat-trick in Scalp Novices' Chase at Leopardstown (21.2f) by 8½ lengths. The one to beat with further progress anticipated.

Form: 1P-1111

Notlongtillmay⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 142| D

40/1

Fairly useful hurdles winner for Chris Gordon last term and immediate improvement switched to fences for new yard, making it 3-3 in this sphere with a dominant display in 2m4f Musselburgh handicap last month. This demands a lot more.

Form: 341-111

Stage Star⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 152| C| D

15/2

Challow Hurdle winner last season who made it 3-4 over fences when impressively defying top weight in 2m4f handicap here in January. This is tougher but ought to be in the shake-up with further progress on the cards.

Form: PP-1211

Unexpected Party^t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| BF

100/1

Progressive hurdler last season who has performed well in this sphere without winning, third of 11 to Stage Star in 2m4f handicap here in January. Very hard to make a case for in this grade, however.

Form: 1P-2323

Non-Runners

Banbridge⁴⁰

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: J P O'Brien J: J J Slevin

Christopher Wood⁴⁴

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: Miss V Williams J: Harry Bannister

Forecasts

Mighty Potter (4/6), Appreciate It (3/1), Banbridge (7/2), Stage Star (15/2), James Du Berlais (16/1), Balco Coastal (16/1), Notlongtillmay (40/1), Unexpected Party (100/1), Christopher Wood (100/1)

MIGHTY POTTER has been hugely impressive in winning his first three chase outings, powering away to land the Scalp Novices' Chase at Leopardstown last time, and with more to come he's the obvious way to go. Appreciate It hasn't achieved as much over fences but his hurdling class brings him into the reckoning, while another solid performance is expected from Banbridge.