Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Broadway Novices' Chase) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 6m 28.96s

Ballyburn³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| C| D

4/7

Leading novice hurdler of 2023/24, the second of his 3 Grade 1 victories coming at the Festival 12 months ago. No match for Sir Gino on second chase try at Kempton but suited by return to further when winning Leopardstown Gr 1 (21.5f) 38 days ago. Step up to 3m can unlock further progress.

Form: 11-1121

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Better Days Ahead^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| BF| C| D

13/2

Last season's Martin Pipe winner who made it 2 wins from 3 chase starts when just holding on from stablemate Stellar Story in Grade 2 Ten Up Novices' Chase at Navan (23.8f) 31 days ago. This demands more but he's a likeable sort and respected.

Form: 21-3121

Dancing City⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| D

8/1

Leading staying novice hurdler (3-time Grade 1 winner) last season. Picked up where he left off when landing Punchestown maiden chase (23.3f) in December and followed up in Naas Grade 3 with the minimum of fuss a month later. Well worth his place in this company.

Form: 131-111

Gorgeous Tom¹⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 149

11/1

Positive profile over hurdles and progressive over fences, his second success coming in a Cork Grade 3 (20f) in November. Noted finishing to very good effect when close-up fourth in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse (20f) in December and step up to 3m may see him in an even better light.

Form: 101F14

Lecky Watson⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

20/1

Placed at Grade 1 level over hurdles and made perfect start over fences this winter, taking rise in class in his stride when making it 2-2 in Punchestown Grade 3 (19.4f, heavy) 2 months ago. Steps back up in trip here and unlikely we've seen best of him yet in this sphere.

Form: 235-511

Quai De Bourbon⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| BF

14/1

Won all 3 starts as a novice hurdler either side of an excellent third behind Better Days Ahead in last season's Martin Pipe. Taken well to chasing, building on his reappearance effort when landing 14-runner Gowran maiden (20f) 7 weeks ago. Likely to progress further faced with this stiffer test.

Form: 1131-31

Stellar Story^p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 151| CD

22/1

Smart hurdler who landed last season's Albert Bartlett and similar form over fences, best effort yet when neck second behind Better Days Ahead in Grade 2 at Navan 31 days ago, just failing. Fact he's prone to mistakes is a concern but possibilities nevertheless.

Form: 41-4142

Forecasts

Ballyburn (4/7), Better Days Ahead (13/2), Dancing City (8/1), Gorgeous Tom (11/1), Quai De Bourbon (14/1), Lecky Watson (20/1), Stellar Story (22/1)

Last season's leading novice hurdler, BALLYBURN has done little to alter the fact he's a top prospect in this sphere, impressing with his strength at the finish when successful in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown (21.5f) 38 days ago. It's feasible to think the step up to 3m can see him in an even better light and he makes plenty of appeal. Stellar Story, who landed last year's Albert Bartlett, appeals at longer odds provided he keeps the errors at bay. Dancing City is another to note.