Boodles Rising Stars Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:23 | Winning time: 4m 54.45s

Blueking D'oroux²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| BF

1/1

Smart hurdler who was back to his best when winning the Select Hurdle at Sandown in April. Well below that level when surprisingly turned over on return/chase debut at Newton Abbot (21f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago, but should all better for that experience and remains a bright chasing prospect.

Form: 26341-2

Breaking Cover^t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 127

15/2

Dual hurdles winner who has got his act together back in this sphere in recent months, making it 3 wins from last 4 starts over fences with a facile victory in a Newton Abbot handicap (16.3f, soft) recently. However, things did pan out favourably for him that day and this is much tougher.

Form: 131121

Rightsotom^p1,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127

9/1

Looked promising in spring 2023 for Thomas Mullins and opened account for this yard at the second attempt in a Doncaster handicap hurdle last November. Well held on recent chase debut in a Cheltenham handicap (20.2f, good) and now tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 71503-9

Cobra Queen⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: James Bowen| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 133| D

7/4

Has taken really well to fences, going close on second run in this sphere at Tipperary in July and subsequently progressed to win mares' events at Tramore and Roscommon (both at around 2¾m on good/good to soft). Remains open to improvement for top Irish yard and she won't go down without a fight.

Form: 00-3211

Settle Down Jill²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 109| BF

50/1

Fairly useful performer in bumpers last term and finally off the mark over hurdles in 19.5f novice at Chepstow last month. Readily outpointed by the winner when second in a 3-runner handicap on subsequent chase debut at Fakenham, though, and she looks out of his depth here.

Form: 26-6212

Forecasts

Blueking D'oroux (1/1), Cobra Queen (7/4), Breaking Cover (15/2), Rightsotom (9/1), Settle Down Jill (50/1)

The quirks that COBRA QUEEN exhibited over hurdles have not been in evidence since switched to fences and she can take this step up in class in her stride. The Irish raider gets the nod ahead of Blueking d'Oroux, who is the clear pick judged on hurdles exploits and should leave his odds-on chase debut defeat well behind in time. Still, it was disconcerting to see him turned over at such short odds that day and Cobra Queen will expose any chinks in his armour. Breaking Cover is best of the rest.