Howden Noel Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 48.1s

Steel Ally^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Dylan Johnston| T: S Thomas| OR: 144| D

11/4

Blotted his copybook a couple of times over hurdles last term, but was broadly progressive in that sphere and looks destined to do better still over fences judged on chase debut success in a first-time tongue strap at Carlisle (2m, good to soft) last month. Big player with improvement on the cards.

Form: 21P2P-1

Jax Junior^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 139| C| D

5/2

Winner of 3 of his 5 starts following a wind op over hurdles last season, the highlight of which was a clear-cut victory in a Cheltenham novice in April. Built on chase debut second when running away with a 5-runner beginners' race at Kempton (2¼m, good to soft) and the best is surely yet to come.

Form: 13P1-21

No Questions Asked²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 144| CD

7/5

Pretty useful 3-time novice hurdle winner last term and barely put a foot wrong when making a winning return/chase debut over this C&D (good). Impressed with the way he travelled through the race when second in a strong-looking Newbury Grade 2 next time and his claims here are rock-solid.

Form: 1210-12

Personal Ambition²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: B Pauling| OR: 136| D

16/1

Grade 2 hurdles winner a couple of seasons back and encouraging enough start over fences last term, including when finishing a clear second in this race 12 months ago. However, he has proved a shade disappointing since and there's little doubt that No Questions Asked is the stable first-string.

Form: 423P-4P

Push The Button³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 136

12/1

Useful winning hurdler for Nigel Twiston-Davies who made winning start over fences for new connections in maiden at Carlisle in October. Did little wrong when narrowly outpointed in a Wetherby handicap since and should have more to offer, but he's up against some potentially smart types here.

Form: 0668-12

Forecasts

No Questions Asked (7/5), Jax Junior (5/2), Steel Ally (11/4), Push The Button (12/1), Personal Ambition (16/1)

The one who appeals most is NO QUESTIONS ASKED, who was sure-footed when making a winning start in this sphere over C&D last month. He subsequently improved when runner-up in what was probably a strong renewal of the 2½m John Francome at Newbury, looking for all the world that he would go on to win that Grade 2 when easing to the front at the third-last before being essentially outstayed by the winner. Steel Ally and Jax Junior are similarly promising types and are feared most in that order.