Camden Stout Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 19:25 | Winning time: 6m 0.28s

Hometown Boy¹⁰⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 135| D

5/1

Useful hurdles form during 2020/21 campaign, the highlight of which was a Grade 3 handicap success at Aintree. Shaped as though plenty of ability remains intact when third on chase debut following a lengthy absence in October, but failed to complete next time and others look stronger.

Form: 2711/3F-

First Street¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135| C

10/3

Four-time hurdles winner who was turned over when long odds on for a match on chase debut at Kempton in November. Bettered that when 4½ lengths fourth to Boombawn at Warwick (due to meet that rival on same terms here), for all that his jumping still lacked conviction. This stiffer test may help.

Form: 32330-4

Watergrange Jack¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 125

4/1

Showed improved form over hurdles in 2023/24, successful at Worcester in August before going on to score twice at Fontwell. Left low-key chase debut behind when going close at Stratford (22.6f, good) recently and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 1116P-2

Flaming Ambition³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: R T Dunne| T: G Hanmer| OR: 119| D

11/8

Won sole start in points and confirmed promise of eye-catching hurdling debut up in trip when landing a 21f Warwick maiden in March 2022. Off for 2 years prior to last month's return/chase debut at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) but that didn't stop him and there could be more to come from this 7-y-o.

Form: 1412/1-

Lesser²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: R T Phillips| OR: 113| C| D

12/1

Point/bumper winner who looked a good prospect when landing brace of novice hurdles during first half of 2021. Well below par both starts since returning from a lengthy absence, though, including when returned to this sphere at Uttoxeter last time.

Form: 1111/8-6

Non-Runners

Boombawn¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Whatdeawant²⁴

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: D R Fox

Forecasts

Flaming Ambition (11/8), Boombawn (5/2), First Street (10/3), Watergrange Jack (4/1), Hometown Boy (5/1), Whatdeawant (8/1), Lesser (12/1)

The vote goes to the unexposed FLAMING AMBITION, who was returning from a two-year absence when making a winning chase debut at Uttoxeter. A 4 lb rise almost certainly underestimates him. If Boombawn goes to post he will take some stopping but, assuming he takes up his engagement at Cartmel on Monday, Watergrange Jack and First Street could emerge as the main dangers.