William Hill Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 1.24s

Blueking D'oroux^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143| D

22/1

Smart hurdler, ending last season with Grade 2 win at Sandown. Not quite so good over fences this term but managed to pick up a weak Grade 2 at Wincanton in November. Took step forward in this headgear when just denied in handicap at Kempton last month but more needed again back in a Grade 1.

Form: 41-2152

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Jax Junior^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 145| D

16/1

Three-time novice hurdle winner last season and has shown even better form when notching the same number of wins over fences this time round, easily taking Grade 2 Pendil at Kempton. Big price in Arkle at Cheltenham since but didn't do himself justice all the same.

Form: 214114

Koktail Divin²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 150| D

3/1

Good fourth in Grade 1 novice hurdle at this meeting last year and has continued progress over fences this season, second in Punchestown Grade 2 before very impressive in novice at Leopardstown. Bang there for long way in Brown Advisory at Cheltenham after and can resume progress back down in trip.

Form: 14-2216

Lulamba³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 162| BF

1/2

One of the leading juvenile hurdlers last season and has rapidly developed into an even better chaser, bolting up in Sandown Grade 1 novice before dispatching more experienced rivals in Grade 2 at Newbury. Serious error 2 out ended chance in Arkle but this looks a good opportunity up in trip.

Form: 21-1113

Mambonumberfive⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 146| C

11/1

Made it 3 from 3 over fences this season in Grade 2 at Kempton over Christmas but he wasn't foot perfect there and was let down by jumping when well held in Kingmaker at Warwick subsequently. Stiff task here but longer trip should at least put less pressure on his jumping.

Form: 17-1113

Forecasts

Lulamba (1/2), Koktail Divin (3/1), Mambonumberfive (11/1), Jax Junior (16/1), Blueking D'oroux (22/1)

LULAMBA wasn't quite at the top of his game in the Arkle at Cheltenham but this looks a good opportunity with the step up in trip likely to suit. Koktail Divin is the obvious threat back down in distance having shaped well for a long way in the Brown Advisory at the same meeting.