Grade One Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase Guide 2023

Was a top hurdler for Philip Hobbs before being sent chasing, including a second-place finish behind Flooring Porter in the Stayers Hurdle at last year’s festival. He won on chasing debut at Exeter in November last year, beating Flash Collonges by 17 lengths over 3m before second of three behind McFabulous in Grade two chase at Newbury later that month.

Followed that by beating McFabulous next time out in the Kauto Star by 15 lengths and comes here fresh since but this is a tougher test.

Eight-year-old gelding for Willie Mullins who was sixth here last year in the Albert Bartlett, before another sixth-place finish in a grade one hurdle outing at Punchestown a month after before being sent over fences by Mullins.

Paul Townend was on board as he triumphed on debut over the larger obstacles, beating Tenzing by two lengths at Thurles in December before finishing first in grade three at Naas but demoted to second for interference.

Still possesses ability and the potential to get better and goes off a similar mark to a few here off 147.

Top hurdler and winner of a couple of bumpers for Willie Mullins, winning the Ballymore last year at 8/11 favourite ahead of Three Stripe Life. Below-par in Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown last April when third of five before being sent chasing by Mullins.

Won easily on debut over fences at 1/6 favourite, beating the Henry De Bromhead trained Largy Debut by a huge 38 lengths.

Has the ability to be a big player in this company despite the inexperience but will have to find more to beat Gerri Colombe, who looks a strong favourite.

Leading runner here for Gordon Elliott who is yet to taste defeat in seven career runs, winning all of them.

Won two bumpers in 2021 before being sent hurdling, winning both runs at Down Royal and Thurles before three runs over the larger obstacles coming into this contest.

Comfortable wins at Fairyhouse and Limerick were followed by his best success yet, in the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown last month at 10/11 favourite, beating Balco Coastal by just under two lengths to take his unbeaten run to three over fences.

He’s unexposed over this trip and holds leading claims for Elliott in this contest as the unbeaten runner here. Will take some beating if one were to edge him out.

Won four of his last five runs over hurdles last year before winning on chasing debut at Uttoxeter in October, beating Brief Times by four and a half lengths before scoring again next time out at Ascot at class three level.

Third in a grade two at this course next time provided more promise before third in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase behind Balco Coastal and Gerri Colombe which left him far from disgraced and can settle in with this company.

Step up in trip could help him find more potential.

Previously with Nicky Henderson before moving to Willie Mullins’ yard following his fourth-place finish in the Ballymore last year at the festival.

Has since gone chasing for Mullins and has recorded second, second and fourth place finishes at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown (twice).

Last outing was in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase, where Mighty Potter triumphed and I Am Maximus was in fourth behind Gaillard Du Mesnil and Adamantly Chosen. He needs to improve much more to figure here as the last of Mullins’ five runners.

Inexperienced chaser with two runs over fences following winning a bumper before winning two hurdle races including grade two at Fairyhouse in April last year.

Has since finished second behind favourite here Gerri Colombe by just under three lengths before winning a beginners chase at Fairyhouse in January.

Needs to find more in this company but it is early days with this runner, with Daryl Jacob on board for this contest.

Six-year-old for leading trainer Willie Mullins who has performed fairly well over fences, winning at Listowel on debut before landing grade three at Punchestown in October last year.

Disappointing in the Drinmore (fifth) in December before second behind Gerri Colombe at Limerick over Christmas and then again runner up to Mighty Potter this time at the Dublin Racing Festival in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase.

Longer trip may help him improve further, going from 2m 5f to 3m here for Mullins with Brian Hayes doing the steering.

Exciting runner for Patrick Neville who is unbeaten over fences, following four runs over hurdles, winning one of them at Carlisle in 2021.

Has since run in a class two novices chase here over 3m in November, winning by just under a length before following up at the same course on New Year’s Day, winning a grade two chase by three lengths to Monmiral in second.

He looks a good prospect for Neville and Sam Twiston-Davies is booked to ride the 11/2 shot for Brown Advisory glory, however the favourite takes all the beating here.

Rachael Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead send Amirite here after winning on chasing debut at Fairyhouse in October last year.

Things have been tougher for this seven-year-old since, with third in a grade two at Punchestown followed by unseating Blackmore at Leopardstown next time out.

Recently finished behind Thedevilscoachman and Ramilies in grade three novice chase at Naas in January and goes off here as the outsider at around 50/1 in what is a tough race for this gelding.

Very promising prospect for Dan Skelton’s yard who he tipped as having a big chance coming into the festival in the lead up to this week’s racing.

Chasing form has been class apart from one blunder in the Kauto Star at Kempton won by Thyme Hill in December, pulling up after a bad jump.

Bounced back to win grade two at Warwick in January, beating Complete Unknown by 13 lengths. Skelton touted him as one of his best chances of a winner so must be confident of a big run and shouldn’t be ruled out.