Coral John Francome Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (Formerly Known As The Berkshire) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 2.1s

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Selected odds by:

Boombawn²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| D

25/1

Useful hurdler who made the perfect start over fences when scoring at Warwick in May. Decent efforts in defeat thereafter and back to winning ways in 5-runner Rising Stars Novices' Chase at Wincanton (20.2f, good) earlier this month. Faces tough task under a penalty here, however.

Form: 132031

Bugise Seagull³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 138| D

12/1

Irish point recruit who won first 2 starts over hurdles last term and ended campaign with good third in Aintree Grade 1 novice. Posted encouraging second of 3 to Johnnywho at Carlisle (20f, good to soft) on chasing bow 36 days ago and is entitled to build on that.

Form: 2/1133-2

Captain Teague²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| C

9/4

Third in Champion Bumper and translated all that ability to hurdles last season, winning Persian War at Chepstow and Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at this course. Walked over on chase debut at Exeter 3 weeks ago and remains an exciting recruit to this discipline.

Form: 3/1210-1

Johnnywho^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 144| D

10/3

Ended hurdling campaign with good fourth on handicap debut at Aintree (24.7f) in April and bettered that form when taking 3-runner novice at Carlisle (20f, good to soft, 2/1) on debut over fences 36 days ago by 1½ lengths from Bugise Seagull. Likely more to come yet.

Form: 14484-1

Masaccio²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 137| CD

6/1

Successful twice over hurdles last season and justified support when making winning chase debut in C&D handicap (good to soft) 22 days ago. Steps up in grade now but must enter calculations with further progress likely.

Form: 2510-21

The Jukebox Man²³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 148| BF| D

9/4

Point winner who posted smart form over hurdles last term, finishing runner-up at Cheltenham and Aintree on final 2 starts. Looks a likely prospect for chasing this season.

Form: 1/11322-

Forecasts

The Jukebox Man (9/4), Captain Teague (9/4), Johnnywho (10/3), Masaccio (6/1), Bugise Seagull (12/1), Boombawn (25/1)

In what looks a cracking contest, preference is for JOHNNYWHO, who won with the minimum of fuss on his first start in this sphere at Carlisle last month and remains with bags of potential. Chase debutants Captain Teague and The Jukebox Man are feared most.