FBC Manby Bowdler 'Chasing Excellence' Beginners' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 5m 19.15s

Bill Joyce²²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132| BF| D

10/1

Dual bumper winner who made up into a useful novice hurdler in 2024/25 but looked one with problems in a trio of starts last season, including when bleeding on chasing debut at Haydock. Leap of faith required on return from 7 months off.

Form: 32F0/PP-

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Catch Him Derry⁵⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: C J Todd| T: D Skelton| OR: 131

40/1

Recorded a fourth handicap hurdle success at Exeter (23.1f) in 2024/25 and ended that season with excellent efforts in Festival handicaps at Cheltenham and Aintree. Missed 2025/26, though, and while he has the physique to do well over fences, he looks the stable second string on jockey bookings.

Form: 1P6135/

Klimt Madrik²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: K Brogan| T: T Lawes| OR: 143

3/1

Progressive hurdler, winning a Newbury novice before chasing home No Drama This End in the Challow Hurdle. Still looked a bit raw when mid-division in the Baring Bingham at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen, but he remains a scopey type with the makings of an even better chaser.

Form: 34/4128-

Scorpio Rising¹⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 137| D

6/4

Registered a fourth success of the campaign when landing 17-runner EBF Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown in March before possibly finding less testing conditions against him at Aintree the following month. Bred to prove at least as effective as a chaser and yard who won this race last year.

Form: 3/11117-

Talk To The Man¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130

15/8

Point winner who created a good impression on hurdling debut at Taunton before following up in a Newbury novice, and his Aintree Festival run can be excused as he shaped as if amiss; Harry Skelton’s pick on chase debut and interesting given the yard’s good recent record with ex-Nicholls recruits.

Form: 154/11P-

Vicomte Le Brave^p,t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: Cynthia Woods

300/1

Won once from 15 starts in points and had breathing operation prior to coming home a well-beaten last in a 3-runner novice chase at this course 9 days ago.

Form: 2213-P3

Forecasts

Scorpio Rising (6/4), Talk To The Man (15/8), Klimt Madrik (3/1), Bill Joyce (10/1), Catch Him Derry (40/1), Vicomte Le Brave (300/1)

KLIMT MADRIK was runner-up in last season’s Challow Hurdle at Newbury and not only does he set the standard on hurdles form, he has long appealed as the type to make an even better chaser. He gets the vote, with 4-time hurdles winner Scorpio Rising another good chasing prospect despite his Grade 1 flop and Talk To The Man also likely to do better this season.