Stan Mellor Memorial Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 20.28s

Ballymackie²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan

28/1

£160,000 5-y-o. Brother to modest staying chase winner Ballylinch. Dam unraced half-sister to fairly useful hurdler (stayed 2¾m) The Sliding Rock. Won final 2 starts in Irish points (latest Apr 8) and he's well worth a second look on Rules debut.

Form: 25/11-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Golden Son⁵⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

10/3

Smart hurdler who was successful twice at Auteuil in 2021/22, in handicap and Group 2 Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy. Encouragement when second in 4-runner minor event on chase debut at same track during spring of last year and well worth a look on return for leading yard.

Form: 11233/2-

Iroko^t²⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 145| D

11/10

Fine advert for his stable last season, completing hat-trick of handicap hurdle victories in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham in March. Turned in another solid display when third in Grade 1 Sefton at Aintree on final start and he's well worthy of respect now chasing.

Form: 44/1113-

Kilbeg King¹⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 137| D

4/1

Point winner who landed only start in bumpers back in 2021 and, following a lengthy absence, made rapid strides forward over hurdles last term, making it 3 wins from 5 starts with a career-best display to land 25-runner Punchestown handicap (23.6f) in April. Interesting chase debutant.

Form: 1/16121-

Get A Tonic²⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| DWS

9/2

Won only start in Irish points and quickly made up in to a useful hurdler, winning 3 times during novice campaign. Didn't kick on from a promising return display in handful of starts last season and this looks a tough enough chase introduction. Had wind op.

Form: 1/24665-

Non-Runners

Ballydesmond¹⁹⁰

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: Jamie Snowden J: G Sheehan

Forecasts

Iroko (11/10), Golden Son (10/3), Kilbeg King (4/1), Get A Tonic (9/2), Ballydesmond (14/1), Ballymackie (28/1)

GOLDEN SON made up into a smart hurdler during his time in France, and having displayed promise on his sole start over fences when last seen 18 months ago, he could well be worth siding with to make a winning return with the prospect of more to come in this sphere for his powerful yard. Iroko had a fine season over hurdles last term and is feared along with Kilbeg King. Dual point-scorer Ballymackie is one to monitor closely in the betting on Rules debut