Jordan Electrics Ltd Future Champion Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 3.21s

Hang In There¹⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 142| D

16/1

Smart hurdler who has won 5 of his 6 completed starts over fences, including a Grade 2 at Wincanton (20.2f) on his most outing in November. That was a weak affair though, and he looks vulnerable under a penalty returning from a break.

Form: 1111P1

Balco Coastal³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| D

2/1

Two-time novice hurdle winner who has shown smart form over fences, easily scoring at Kempton before runner-up to Gerri Colombe in Scilly Isles at Sandown (20f). Well held in Turners at the Cheltenham Festival but he's the one to beat if bouncing back.

Form: P3-5127

Datsalrightgino³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 144| BF

8/1

Improved model sent chasing, off the mark at Chepstow (2m) in November. Ran a cracker when runner-up in Timeform Novices' Handicap in January and backed that up when filling same spot in Gr 2 Pendil. Pulled up at Cheltenham last month but may have resented first-time cheekpieces (left off here).

Form: 13422P

Thunder Rock³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 147| CD

5/2

Four-time hurdle winner last season and plenty to like about pair of novice handicap chase victories at up to 19f earlier this term. Creditable efforts in stronger company next 2 outings but was a shade underwhelming upped in trip in Brown Advisory at Cheltenham last time. This is easier.

Form: 1-11336

Unexpected Party^t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| D

14/1

Progressive hurdler last season who has performed well in this sphere without winning, including when third to Stage Star in Golden Millar at Cheltenham (19.8f) last month, merely passing beaten horses. Needs to find a bit more to break his duck over fences at this level.

Form: P-23235

Telmesomethinggirl⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 134| BF| D

3/1

Smart hurdler who came good at the second time of asking over fences in small-field Naas maiden (20f, soft) in January. Jumped more fluently when running to a similar level in defeat in a Thurles listed event next time and warrants respect upped in grade in receipt of weight.

Form: 3BF-212

Non-Runners

Richmond Lake¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: D McCain Jnr J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Balco Coastal (2/1), Thunder Rock (5/2), Telmesomethinggirl (3/1), Datsalrightgino (8/1), Unexpected Party (14/1), Hang In There (16/1), Richmond Lake (16/1)

BALCO COASTAL was well held in the Turners at the Cheltenham Festival last time, but he gave Gerri Colombe a scare in the Scilly Isles at Sandown on his penultimate outing, so is well worth another chance, especially now returning to slightly calmer waters. Telmesomethinggirl jumped with greater fluency when second at Thurles on her most recent outing and could be dangerous in receipt of weight. Thunder Rock also commands respect on his earlier form.