Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 53.50s

Lieutenant Command⁴⁷⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Reed| T: T Reed| OR: 137

150/1

Doubled his tally over fences at Leopardstown (21.4f, good) back in March 2023 but struggled off his revised mark on both subsequent starts, last seen tailed off in the Galway Plate 15 months ago. Off since and has left Noel Meade.

Form: F5P16/0-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Iroko^t²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 152

11/8

Thrived over hurdles in 2022/23 and was an easy winner of a Warwick novice on his seasonal/chase debut last year. Took his form up another notch on third start over fences when 4 lengths second of 6 to Inothewayurthinkin in Grade 1 Mildmay at Aintree in April and has more to offer this term.

Form: 113/152-

Tahmuras^p²⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| C

9/2

Created a good impression when winning his first 3 starts over hurdles, including the Grade 1 Tolworth at Sandown. Cast aside a tame chase debut when scoring in first-time cheekpieces at Aintree on Boxing Day and similar form when runner-up on both subsequent starts. Yard won 3 of last 4 renewals.

Form: 07/3122-

Trelawne^p²⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 144| D

7/2

Winner of 3 of his 4 starts over hurdles and made a successful debut over fences at Carlisle (2½m) last November. Continued in good form thereafter but got no further than the second having been sent off favourite in the Ultima at Cheltenham (25f, heavy) in March. Can get back on track on return.

Form: 1/1323F-

Deafening Silence³⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 133| D

13/2

Successful on last of 3 starts in points and built on his hurdling debut promise after over a year off when landing novice at Exeter last November. Progressed again when taking Grade 2 at Sandown 4 weeks later and warrants respect on return/chase debut. Yard won this last year with Grey Dawning.

Form: FB13/11-

Hillcrest⁹⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 144| BF| C

6/1

Big chasing type who is unbeaten when completing over hurdles, galloping on strongly on first crack at 3m in Grade 2 Prestige Novices' Hurdle at Haydock back in February 2022. Ran no sort of race in the Albert Bartlett the following month and hasn't been seen since. Interesting chasing debutant.

Form: 111U1P/

Forecasts

Iroko (11/8), Trelawne (7/2), Tahmuras (9/2), Hillcrest (6/1), Deafening Silence (13/2), Lieutenant Command (150/1)

IROKO was runner-up in the Grade 1 Mildmay at Aintree on his final outing last term and is open to further progress. He is fancied to make a winning return to action at the expense of Trelawne, who boasts a notably good record when fresh and was sent off favourite for the Ultima when last seen but fell at the second. Deafening Silence warrants plenty of respect on return/chase debut so rounds off the shortlist.