bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 3m 46.10s

Brookie^t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 141| CD

50/1

Smart novice chaser who tasted success twice in handicaps prior to finishing a fine second in the Grade 1 Maghull at Aintree a year ago. Matched that form first 2 starts this season but disappointing since and this no easy race to bounce back in.

Form: 24-3P80

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Edwardstone¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 150| C| D

11/1

Top-class chaser in his prime who has shown that he's still capable of smart form this season, getting back to winning ways in 4-runner Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton in January. Similar form both starts since but repeat of last year's fourth in this probably best he can hope for.

Form: 4-42143

JPR One^p,t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 159

8/1

Winner of Haldon Gold Cup in 2024 and has worked his way back to that level this season, back on the scoresheet in the Scottish Champion Chase (handicap) at Musselburgh. Ran well for a long way when fourth in Ryanair and way he shaped in the Melling suggests return to 2m will suit.

Form: 332144

Mirabad^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 155| D

7/1

Big improver sent over fences for Dan Skelton, making a winning chase bow at Exeter in December before recording a big career best ridden with more restraint when causing a 50/1 upset in the Maghull Novices' Chase 2 weeks ago. More to do in open Grade 1 company.

Form: 13U221

Solness^p,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 165

5/4

High-class chaser who landed a third Leopardstown Grade 1 success of his career when edging out Marine Nationale over Christmas. Rare poor effort there next time but emerged with enormous credit from the front when neck second of 7 to Grey Dawning in Melling Chase at Aintree (2½m) latest.

Form: 143-152

Thistle Ask^h,t⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 160

2/1

Massive improver upon joining Dan Skelton this term, winning first 4 starts including the Haldon Gold Cup and Desert Orchid Chase, the latter in highly-impressive fashion. Pitched into Grade 1 company and has 3 lengths to find with Jonbon on their Clarence House Chase clash.

Form: 1-11112

Non-Runners

Jonbon⁴⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 10

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Solness (5/4), Jonbon (6/4), Thistle Ask (2/1), Mirabad (7/1), JPR One (8/1), Edwardstone (11/1), Brookie (50/1)

JONBON is no longer the dominant force in the 2m division but his record (particularly away from Cheltenham) is still an enviable one and he rates the percentage call in his quest for a third Celebration Chase. Thistle Ask has 3 lengths to find with Jonbon from Ascot but he's been kept fresh for this, while Solness confirmed he's capable of top-class form away from Leopardstown when an honourable second at Aintree recently.