13:50 Ayr

Saturday 2 April 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 4.63s

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Selected odds by:

Dusart¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 147| D

2/1

Highly promising hurdler who justified cramped odds to land pair of novice chase contests at up to 3m earlier this year. Enhanced his form when fifth behind L'Homme Presse in Grade 1 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham latest and respected on handicap bow.

Form: 13-115

Sounds Russian⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Callum Bewley| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 145

5/1

Fair hurdler but different proposition over fences, making light of an 11 lb rise to readily complete the hat-trick in a novices' handicap at Kelso (23.4f) in February. Assessor applies further pressure now but that may not be his limit. Big shout.

Form: 224111

Doyen Breed^p⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 141| CD

6/1

Progressive hurdler, who landed 4-runner Hexham novice (3m) on chase debut in November and filled runners-up spot all 3 starts since, latterly in Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot. Mark looks workable returned to handicap company.

Form: 5-21222

Lord Accord^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R Patrick| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 137

13/2

Bumper/dual hurdles winner who impressed when making a successful chase debut at Uttoxeter (22.5f). Added a small-field win at Taunton in December but last of 3 at Doncaster since.

Form: 2-11213

Striking A Pose²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 135| D

9/1

Dual hurdle winner last season and took well to fences with a 19f Exeter reappearance win in November. Solid enough efforts on 2 of his 3 starts since but victories to date have come on soft/heavy ground.

Form: PU-1424

The Golden Rebel⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 133| BF| D

13/2

Career-best display when off the mark over fences at Doncaster (20.5f) in December. Jumping failed to pass muster when falling back at that venue in January but he remains unexposed at around 3m.

Form: 5-6421F

I K Brunel³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 129| D

10/1

Showed benefit of comeback run when edging ahead late on to open chase account at Newbury (23.4f) in December. Faded out of things when fifth of 9 at Ludlow (23.8f) in February though, and this tougher again.

Form: 807-315

Now Where Or When^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 126

22/1

Fairly useful hurdler who confirmed chase debut promise to land Fairyhouse maiden (2m) in January. Weakened out of things on handicap debut at Navan (3m) last month and he's no more than averagely treated.

Form: 90213P

Non-Runners

Sail Away⁸⁰

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Dusart (2/1), Sounds Russian (5/1), Sail Away (11/2), Doyen Breed (6/1), The Golden Rebel (13/2), Lord Accord (13/2), Striking A Pose (9/1), I K Brunel (10/1), Now Where Or When (22/1)

SOUNDS RUSSIAN faces his toughest assignment to date, yet he's been most impressive in landing each of his last 3 starts over fences and is fancied to make a bold bid to defy another hike in the weights and complete the 4-timer. Dusart ran well in Grade 1-company at Cheltenham and is feared. Doyen Breed completes the shortlist.