Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The November) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 4m 2.56s

Be Aware^h¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| D

3/1

Useful hurdler who (hooded for first time) took his form up a notch on his chasing debut when cosily landing 8-runner handicap at Stratford (19.4f, good to soft) 16 days ago. Has more to offer for top yard which has a very good record in this event. Big shout.

Form: 2/2388-1

Breaking Cover^t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 131| D

28/1

Has got his act together back in this sphere, bagging a third win in recent months in 2m Newton Abbot handicap. Posted an excellent second of 5 in Rising Stars Chase at Wincanton (20.2f, good) 7 days ago so he must enter calculations.

Form: 311212

Brentford Hope^t²⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 139| D

18/1

Useful 2m-winning hurdler who wasn't disgraced when eighth of 17 in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (16.7f, good to soft) in April. This is no easy introduction to fences but he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 2/20248-

Burdett Road²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: James Owen| OR: 149| CD

9/2

Classy dual-purpose performer who was runner-up in the Champion Hurdle here in March and by no means disgraced back in this sphere when second in 2m Kempton listed event last month. Turns his attentions to fences now and he's an interesting prospect.

Form: 2/1322-2

July Flower²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead

6/5

Smart winning ex-French hurdler who created an excellent impression when a wide-margin scorer in 9-runner novice chase at Limerick (19.2f, heavy) on her debut over fences 27 days ago. Leading player, especially with her 7 lb mares' allowance here.

Form: 3/3155-1

Stencil²⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: H Cobden| T: N George & A Zetterholm| BF| D

6/1

Very useful winning French hurdler but he failed to justify market support when well held in Fred Winter Handicap here at the Festival in March. Brings a lot of potential to chasing so he needs considering on his return.

Form: 11620-

Forecasts

July Flower (6/5), Be Aware (3/1), Burdett Road (9/2), Stencil (6/1), Brentford Hope (18/1), Breaking Cover (28/1)

A fascinating Grade 2 in which Henry de Bromhead's JULY FLOWER is taken to build on her easy chasing debut success at Limerick and capitalise on her mares' allowance to thwart Dan Skelton's Be Aware, who also impressed when going in at the first time of asking over fences at Stratford. Burdett Road and Stencil both bring considerable potential to fences and shouldn't be underestimated either.