Grade Two Champion Novices' Chase Ayr Guide 2023

Emma Lavelle sends one for this Ayr contest over 2m 4f, in the shape of nine-year-old Hang In There. He was useful over hurdles but has been even better over fences, with five wins from seven runs over the larger obstacles at the likes of Wincanton, Worcester and Uttoxeter. All his wins had come at class three level before impressively landing Grade Two Boodles ‘Rising Stars’ Novices’ Chase at Wincanton in November, beating Mortlach by three and a half lengths.

We haven’t seen him since that victory, but he has a good chance of continuing his very good record over fences if going well again. One to keep an eye on.

Henry De Bromhead sends one to the Champion Novices’ Chase with Telmesomethinggirl, who has made a decent start to life over fences after being switched from hurdling in December last year. She finished second on debut at Thurles before winning four-runner beginners chase at Naas a month later, six lengths ahead of favourite Instit.

Moved into listed company on her last outing, over 2m 5f at Thurles, to finish second of five, four lengths behind Brides Hill when priced at 6/5fav.

Would be surprising if she didn’t run a decent race here. Rachael Blackmore does the steering.

Dan Skelton sends his eight-year-old gelding Unexpected Party to the Champion Novices’ Chase after he finished fifth in the Turners’ at Cheltenham last month (ahead of Balco Coastal). Had been consistent over fences beforehand, finishing in the top three on all four occasions in decent company and like others in this contest, steps back down to grade two here.

Still waiting for his first win over fences but it will be tough in this contest. More is expected from him and Skelton has booked Bridget Andrews to ride.

Olly Murphy’s Thunder Rock arrives at Ayr for the second time (previously running over hurdles here), after finishing sixth in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham festival last month. He finished behind some good horses on the day and hasn’t been disgraced in top company, finishing third in the Scilly Isles at Sandown (behind Balco Coastal and Gerri Colombe) and third again in Paddy Power Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in January.

Adrian Heskin is on board the seven-year-old who ought to go close here, back down in grade. One to consider.

Jamie Snowden’s Datsalrightgino arrives at Ayr having been pulled up on his last outing at Cheltenham last month, before three out when well beaten in the Magners Plate Handicap over 2m 4f. Had produced a decent run of form over fences at lower levels before second of five in the Grade Two Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton in February, two lengths behind winner Solo.

The seven-year-old looks to bounce back here, in a wide-open race that many should have a chance in. Suspect he will be there towards the end if bouncing back from his previous run.

Nicky Henderson sends 150-rated chaser Balco Coastal to Ayr on the back of finishing last of seven in the Grade One Turners’ Novices’ Chase (won by Stage Star) at the Cheltenham festival last month.

He had begun well over fences for Henderson prior to that Cheltenham disappointment, finishing second to Gerri Colombe in Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase after winning on chasing debut at Kempton in December.

Expected to go better this time around and he drops down in grade here, but it won’t be easy. Should be in the mix.

The current outsider in the market is Richmond Lake, Donald McCain’s seven-year-old who has won two of his four runs over fences, at Wetherby and Haydock last time out.

All four of his runs have come at class three level before entering graded company for the first time here on the back of his four-length success in Haydock handicap last month.

Shouldn’t be discounted but this is a tougher test for him against some very good runners. It is an open race, though.