Boodles 'Rising Stars' Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 10.35s

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Selected odds by:

Captain Conby⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: E Sheehy| D

5/1

Useful hurdler who made a winning start over fences at Killarney (17f, good to soft, 11/8) last month. Somewhat disappointing when second in higher grade at Tipperary since but warrants respect nonetheless.

Form: 260-012

Doyen Star²⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 130

16/1

Won both his outings over hurdles last term, posting fairly-useful form when taking 10-runner novice when last seen at Chepstow (16f, good) 9 months ago. Asked a big question on debut over fences but is worth monitoring in the market.

Form: 1/11-

Givega²⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 132| BF

7/1

Won all 3 completed starts over hurdles last season and was well supported when pulled up (broke blood vessel) in Imperial Cup at Sandown on final outing. Pitched straight into Grade 2 event on chasing bow but was successful on sole outing in points back in 2021.

Form: 1/11P1P-

Knappers Hill²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153| BF| C

4/5

Won 3 of his 6 starts over timber last term, putting up a personal best when taking Select Hurdle at Sandown on final start. Posted promising second on chase debut at Chepstow (19.5f, heavy) last month and is the one to beat.

Form: 14231-2

Opening Bid³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down| OR: 125

40/1

Fairly-useful chaser who bagged his fifth win of season when readily taking 4-runner handicap at Exeter (19.2f, good) 30 days ago. In deeper waters now, though.

Form: 115121

Lady Adare^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 125| D

11/2

Three-time winner over hurdles who got off the mark at the first attempt in this sphere when taking 7-runner novice at Worcester (20f, soft, 3/1) 30 days ago. May have more to offer over fences but faces a much stiffer task now.

Form: 1/620-31

Forecasts

Knappers Hill (4/5), Captain Conby (5/1), Lady Adare (11/2), Givega (7/1), Doyen Star (16/1), Opening Bid (40/1)

It's hard to look past KNAPPERS HILL, who was much the best of these over hurdles and will have learnt plenty from his encouraging chasing bow at Chepstow. Irish-raider Captain Conby may give him most to think about.