Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Guide 2022

After running in what was possibly the best Albert Bartlett we’ll see for some time, the world looked to be Fury Road’s oyster but he’s since failed to progress from that.

He notched up three straight wins over hurdles before putting in mighty efforts in defeat in Grade 1 races at the end of his first season jumping.

Unable to acquit himself well in open company last year he won a grade 2 on comeback but failed to win again all season.

Taken chasing he went close behind Beacon Edge at Fairyhouse before winning a Grade 1 over 3 miles at Leopardstown.

Unable to step back in trip behind Galopin Des Champs last time out, going up in trip will help and he’s already won at this level.

A Grade 1 winning chaser for Noel Meade and Gigginstown, Beacon Edge spent a few seasons over hurdles and scored in some decent races. Winning a Grade 3, a Grade 2 and running well to be 4th in the Stayers hurdle last year behind Flooring Porter.

He’s gone chasing quite late in his career and despite being favourite on his debut only managed to come 2nd. However he left that behind when winning a Grade 1 over 2.5 miles at Fairyhouse.

Last seen being outstayed by Farouk D’alene in a Grade 2 at Navan on bottomless ground, he was conceding weight to his rival so did well to only be beaten by three quarters of a length.

Grade 1 form in the books and he goes well at Cheltenham.

Well fancied for last year’s Albert Bartlett, Farouk D’alene had some smart form for Gordon Elliott as a novice hurdler. Winning a point to point by a wide margin, he also won his bumpers in similar fashion.

Winning a maiden hurdle teed him up for beating eventual Bartlett winner Vanillier in a Grade 2 at Limerick.
His exploits over fences have been equally as strong as his time over hurdles.

Winning on debut when beating Blue Sari, he was then unlucky to go down narrowly to Master McShee in a Grade 1 at Limerick.

He then wasn’t quite able to live with Stattler in a Grade 3 as his rival simply outstayed him to the line.

Last seen getting the better of Beacon Edge to secure Grade 2 honours, he just held on when in receipt of weight. He’s not the strongest of finishers and might be outstayed again.

Paul Nicholls’ 7 year old heads the betting off the back of an emphatic first year chasing. A point to point winner, he failed to win either of his bumpers but took to hurdles much better.

Being outpaced by the eventual Betfair Hurdle winner Soaring Glory. He then notched up a quick hat trick over hurdles when winning two novice events before bolting up in the Challow Hurdle impressively. Unable to live with Bob Olinger here at Cheltenham he was then beaten by Ahoy Senor at Aintree.

Life over fences has been perfect and he’s 4 from 4. Sealing a few low grade affairs and the Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton.

His form is the best but no Kauto Star winner has ever won this race.

Only seen 11 days ago, Streets Of Doyen spent a long time over hurdles having failed to win in his first stint over obstacles. He retained his novice status and enjoyed a second season as a novice, including beating Flooring Porter in a handicap.

He rounded out the season with strong runs in the Spring Festivals, coming 3rd at Cheltenham, 4th at Aintree before a poor run at Punchestown.

Chasing hasn’t quite gone to plan and he’s only won once over fences, that victory coming on his debut.

Well beaten behind Threeunderthrufive earlier in the season, he dropped down to 2 miles when last seen and didn’t have the pace to get involved.

Going up in trip will help but he looks to lack the quality as a chaser.

Venetia Williams’ gelding looked to be a hot prospect for the Turners this year but connections have avoided the clash of Bob Olinger and Gallopin Des Champs to go here.

His novice hurdle form didn’t amount to much. He failed to win in either of his runs over in France before moving over to the UK and winning a novice event.

It wasn’t until taken chasing that he’s really come to life. Winning his debut easily, he then captured another race at Ascot without breaking a sweat.

L’Homme Presse has since notched up two graded victories. Winning the dipper at Cheltenham on New Years’ Day before a demolition job in the Scilly Isles.

He’s yet to try 3 miles however and has stamina to prove.

Interesting that Paul Townend picks this 6 year old to ride for Willie Mullins. After starting life in France he moved over to the care of Mullins before a few highly creditable hurdle runs.

Winning a brace of Grade 1’s and coming 2nd in the Ballymore was certainly a strong novice hurdling campaign. However since moving to fences he’s failed to find the same success.

Unable to win on debut he was beaten by Capodanno over 2.5 miles. He was then beaten out of sight by Bob Olinger at Punchestown and similarly dispatched by Galopin Des Champs last time out.

Avoiding the clash with those big two again, he’s going to try his hand at 3 miles for the first time. His win at Leopardstown last year suggests he’ll get the trip but it’s blind faith.

A bumper winner for Paul Nicholls before tackling hurdling and winning his first three starts in decent fashion, defying penalties and beating some smart rivals.

He rounded out the season coming 6th in the Albert Bartlett and winning a listed race over 3 miles. Debuting over fences at the start of this season he was beaten by Does He Know, but with race fitness and experience on his side he’s gone on to win his next four starts.

Winning easily in novice events at Cheltenham and Exeter, he managed to reverse the form with Does He Know before going on to score twice in Grade 2 company.

Winning easily, he’s facing a big test here but hasn’t put a foot wrong over fences and his form has worked out well.

Representing Willie Mullins, Capodanno managed to win twice over hurdles last season. Winning a maiden over 2 miles before managing to go up in trip and scoring over 3 miles at the end of the season.

Connections took him chasing this campaign and he immediately took to the larger obstacles despite only running over 2.5 miles on his first outing.

He was unable to live with Bob Olinger at Punchestown but ran with a lot of credit in defeat. Last seen running at Leopardstown in the Dublin Racing Festival he didn’t get past the 5th obstacle.

He stayed 3 miles over hurdles so is likely to get the trip but hasn’t tried it as a chaser. Seemingly unable to get the better of Bob Olinger he’s going to have to prove his stamina here.

Springing to prominence last season as a novice hurdler, despite only winning a maiden hurdle over 2.5 miles, Ahoy Senor went on to win a Grade 1 over 3 miles beating Bravemansgame at Aintree.

The 7 year old had the size and scope to go chasing so immediately changed to the bigger obstacles this year. Unseating when travelling well on debut, he’s since not finished outside the top 2 in three graded runs.

Winning a Grade 2 over 3 miles, he was outgunned by Bravemansgame at Kempton in the Kauto Star before bouncing back to form with an easy win at Wetherby last time out.

His wins have all come at flat tracks but he could be crying out for a stiffer test of stamina.

We’ve seen very little of this 7 year old who’s trained by Nicky Henderson. He’s only had four races in his career. Winning a novice hurdle at Newbury, the form of that was incredibly strong as he beat Soaring Glory.

He then went on to be a close 3rd in a grade one during the Aintree Festival. Sent chasing this season he’s won both outings at short odds against weak opposition but has left a bit to be desired.

We’ve only seen him twice over fences in low grade affairs but he did prove that he stays 3 miles last time out at Exeter. He looks to have bundles to find on the market principles to get competitive however.