Howden Graduation Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 23.61s

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Selected odds by:

Solo^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| BF| D

5/6

Looked as good as ever when landing the Pendil at Kempton in February and reappearance second to the race-fit Elixir de Nutz (winner again since) in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter (17.5f, soft) was a solid effort. Runner-up both previous starts over fences here and should go one better this time.

Form: 1221P-2

Straw Fan Jack²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 140

3/1

Dual winner over fences last term and, though safely held in Grade 1s at the big spring festivals, positives can be taken from the way he travelled when chasing home Pic D'Orhy in a C&D Grade 2 on return. Should strip fitter now but likely to again find one from the Nicholls yard too strong in Solo.

Form: 11444-2

Excello²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133| BF

11/4

Useful form over hurdles and fences at up to 2¾m in France, including a win in this sphere at Auteuil in March. Failed to justify favouritism on debut for new yard in a novice hurdle here last month, though, and faces a stiff task back chasing.

Form: 22212-3

Forecasts

Solo (5/6), Excello (11/4), Straw Fan Jack (3/1)

This step back up in distance will suit SOLO, who didn't do much wrong over a trip short of his best back from a six-month absence in the Haldon Gold Cup and he is hard to oppose. Straw Fan Jack chased home Solo's stablemate Pic d'Orhy over this C&D on his reappearance and looks set to again play second fiddle to a smart Nicholls-trained chaser. French-import Excello will surely win races for his new connections but is probably biting off more than he can chew here.