Holland Cooper 'Chasing Excellence' Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 3m 54.65s

Centara^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jay Tidball| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| D

28/1

Bold-jumping front runner who made it 5 wins from his last 6 starts in 3-runner handicap chase at Newton Abbot (16.3f, good to firm) 25 days ago, well on top finish. Jumping likely to continue to stand him in good stead but this is easily his toughest assignment to date.

Form: 111121

King Of Kingsfield^t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 143| D

18/5

Useful hurdler and similar form over fences, not needing to improve to resume winning ways in 6-runner Grade 3 at Punchestown (18.3f, good to soft) 9 days ago. Has a leading chance at the weights.

Form: 54-1131

Addragoole²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Eoin Staples| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 132| D

10/1

Useful hurdler who has made an encouraging start in this sphere, opening his account at the third attempt in 8-runner maiden (2/1) at Sligo (17.6f, good to soft) 23 days ago, driven out after being left in front last. This is tougher but can't be ruled out.

Form: 30-0321

Alnilam^h¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 141| D

9/4

Fairly useful Flat winner who developed into a useful handicap hurdler last season, finishing an excellent second in Morebattle at Kelso (16.2f) in March. Outjumped Country Mile late on to make a successful chasing debut at Uttoxeter earlier in the month and is open to improvement.

Form: 22125-1

Relieved Of Duties^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| D

12/1

Bordering on useful at his peak over hurdles and made a successful chasing debut in 8-runner maiden (2/1) at Fairyhouse (16.5f, good) 13 days ago, bit in hand. Open to improvement.

Form: 304-F51

Country Mile¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| C| D

9/4

Dual novice hurdle winner who made a promising start over fences when 3½ lengths second of 3 to Alnilam in minor event at Uttoxeter (16f, good to soft, 3/1) 19 days ago. Open to improvement and excellent chance of reversing the form with that rival on 8 lb better terms.

Form: 1/1215-2

Cloonainra³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Alex Harvey| T: J C McConnell

17/2

Fairly useful over hurdles and ran to a similar level in justifying support in 7-runner mares' novice at Listowel (19.4f, good to soft, 10/3) on debut over fences 30 days ago. Should have more to offer but this is a much stiffer task.

Form: 22515-1

Forecasts

Alnilam (9/4), Country Mile (9/4), King Of Kingsfield (18/5), Cloonainra (17/2), Addragoole (10/1), Relieved Of Duties (12/1), Centara (28/1)

COUNTRY MILE seems sure to improve on a considerate chasing debut when second to Alnilam at Uttoxeter recently, so he's taken to reverse the form with that rival on much more favourable terms and come out on top. King of Kingsfield didn't need to improve to resume winning ways in a Grade 3 at Punchestown last week and has a leading chance at the weights, with the aforementioned Alnilam also respected in an intriguing event.