Jordan Electrics Ltd Future Champion Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 56.9s

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Selected odds by:

Cool Mix^h⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: I Jardine| OR: 131| CD

25/1

Won here at this trip over hurdles but has been campaigned over 2m over fences thus far. Won lesser three-runner event in good style last time, but this is tougher and has something to find on official figures.

Form: 1-22221

Ballywood²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 147

5/2

Only defeat in four starts over fences came when second in Grade 2 at Doncaster in January. Back to wining ways since then and as the highest rated horse in the field deserves plenty of respect.

Form: 441121

Lough Derg Spirit^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142| D

6/1

Best on a sound surface and may have found soft ground against him in hot listed event at Cheltenham Festival last month. Better judged on previous efforts and represnts top yard so would be no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 60-151P

Louis' Vac Pouch^h²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J McGrath| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 140| D

12/1

Made good start to chasing winning first two starts but was beaten when in distant second and and falling at Wetherby last time. Much more needed this time.

Form: 00-011F

Monbeg Legend¹⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145| BF| D

11/2

Stable have been patient and he hasn't been seen since second in Cheltenham novice chase in October. At his best on decent surface so should have conditions to suit and appears stable first-string on jockey bookings.

Form: 121122

Secret Investor^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145| D

2/1

Yard has won this 5 times in last 17 renewals and rely solely on this gelding who won easily over this trip at Wincanton last time. This is a tougher test but he may have more to offer and should go well.

Form: 112241

Castafiore^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 139| D

9/1

Landed Grade 2 novice chase at Haydock in January and was good second in Grade 2 Pendil Novices Chase at Kempton next time. Outclassed in Grade 1 at Cheltenham last month but may not be far away at her best.

Form: 441127

Forecasts

Secret Investor (2/1), Ballywood (5/2), Monbeg Legend (11/2), Lough Derg Spirit (6/1), Castafiore (9/1), Louis' Vac Pouch (12/1), Cool Mix (25/1)

A tricky race with a number of improving novice chasers taking each other on. Narrow preference is for SECRET INVESTOR given his handler's fine record in this race. Ballywood is developing into a nice horse and should give the selection plenty to think about, while Monbeg Legend may do best of the Henderson-trained pair. The decent mare Castafiore is not out of it either.