Coral John Francome Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 4m 56.32s

King Of Kingsfield^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 143

18/1

Useful hurdler and similar form over fences, not needing to improve to resume winning ways in a 6-runner Punchestown Grade 3 (18.3f, good to soft) last month. However, he ran no sort of a race at Cheltenham since and looks vulnerable under a penalty.

Form: 4-1131P

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Crest Of Fortune³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 137| D

7/1

Bumper winner who landed a maiden/novice over hurdles (at up to 20.5f) before running a screamer on first crack at 3m+ when third in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April. Solid start over fences when runner-up on return back at 2½m in Cheltenham handicap last month and he's open to improvement.

Form: 22213-2

Kingston Pride³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 140| D

13/2

Point/bumper winner who won twice from 3 appearances in maiden/novice hurdles for Nicky Henderson last season. Acquired by new connections for £285,000 in May and perfect start over fences when landing a 3-runner affair at Perth (2½m, heavy), leaving the impression that there's better to come.

Form: 21/1P1-1

No Questions Asked²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 141

5/1

Pretty useful 3-time novice hurdle winner last term and this former point winner barely put a foot wrong when making a winning return/chase debut in an Ascot handicap (18.8f, good). Looks sure to progress and he's an appealing candidate for last year's winning yard.

Form: 31210-1

Regent's Stroll²³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143| C| D

15/8

Useful bumper winner and also established himself as a useful hurdler last season, winning 2 of his first 4 starts in this sphere prior to a fine second of 9 in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree during the spring. Likely to make a much better chaser and he's a pretty exciting prospect.

Form: 1/14212-

Wendigo³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 143| BF| D

5/2

Useful novice hurdler last term, runner-up in the Challow here in December and also acquitted himself well in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Just touched off by a subsequent listed winner on chase debut at Worcester (2½m, good to soft) and he's one to consider.

Form: 21215-2

Forecasts

Regent's Stroll (15/8), Wendigo (5/2), No Questions Asked (5/1), Kingston Pride (13/2), Crest Of Fortune (7/1), King Of Kingsfield (18/1)

Several potentially very useful novice chasers on show, with NO QUESTIONS ASKED taken to build on his debut success in this sphere at Ascot where he gave weight and a comprehensive beating to an odds-on shot from the Paul Nicholls yard. It's likely that the Nicholls stable will again provide the greatest threat in the shape of Regent's Stroll, who is a very bright chasing prospect. Wendigo is third on the list, but only marginally as both Crest of Fortune and Kingston Pride are also promising.