Arthur Gregory Centenary Celebration Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 11.23s

Inedit Star²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 130| D

10/1

Dual bumper/hurdles winner in France and, judged on what he's shown in 4 starts over fences, he should pick up a race in this sphere before long. Just over a length adrift of a race-fit Doyen du Bar on return at Aintree (15.8f, soft) on Boxing Day and now 3 lb better off with that rival. Claims.

Form: 1222-23

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Helnwein⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 129| BF| C

5/6

Won twice over hurdles last term, including on handicap bow here on final start of that campaign. Failed to build on promising chase debut second when fourth in the 5-runner Windsor handicap won by Vincenzo, but that race wasn't run to suit and is now 7 lb better off with that rival. Major player.

Form: 2421-24

Vincenzo²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 129

7/2

Fairly useful hurdler who took well to this discipline when winning 5-runner novices' handicap chase at Windsor (16.2f, good to soft) last month. No match for the potentially smart Kalif du Berlais in a 3-runner affair at Cheltenham since, but no disgrace in that and he should have a part to play.

Form: 31-3612

Doyen Du Bar^h²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 126

10/1

Got the better of next-time-out winner The Kalooki Kid when taking 5-runner handicap chase at Ayr (16.5f, good to soft) on return in November. Followed up from the front at Aintree during the Christmas period and further 3 lb nudge fair enough, but likely to face competition for the lead this time.

Form: 148-311

Hypotenus⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Taylor Fisher| T: J Tickle| OR: 122

50/1

Fairly useful 2m winner over hurdles but didn't really click over fences for Gavin Cromwell. Lots to prove starting out for new yard.

Form: 36-4287

All Authorized²⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 107WS

11/2

Bumper winner on debut at Fontwell back in April 2023 and landed the odds in a 19.2f maiden hurdle there when last seen 11 months ago (has undergone a wind op in the interim). 4 lb 'wrong' at the weights for this chase debut and will need to raise his game in order to emerge on top.

Form: P42231-

Universal Secret³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 83| D

100/1

Modest winning hurdler who posted by far his best effort yet in this sphere when runner-up in a 15.7f Wincanton handicap last month. However, he's a long, long way out of the weights upped in class here.

Form: 8-06522

Forecasts

Helnwein (5/6), Vincenzo (7/2), All Authorized (11/2), Doyen Du Bar (10/1), Inedit Star (10/1), Hypotenus (50/1), Universal Secret (100/1)

Things didn't pan out favourably for HELNWEIN when only fourth behind Vincenzo at Windsor, but this promises to be a more strongly-run race and Alan King's charge is given another chance to build on the abundant promise he showed when chasing home the progressive Telepathique on debut in this sphere at Warwick. Vincenzo did little wrong at Cheltenham since and should give another good account, while Inedit Star may well reverse Aintree placings with Doyen du Bar and also make his presence felt.