Grade Two Hampton Novices' Chase Guide 2023

Trainer Paul Nicholls won this race last year with Threeunderthrufive and will be hoping to make another success of this contest with Complete Unknown. In what is a small runner affair, this horse will be the favourite and may well go off odds on.

Heavy ground will not be a concern as he won on similar conditions last time out over 2m5f at Ffos Las on what was his chasing debut. He was not stopping at the line so the step up to 3 miles here should suit, therefore he will be the one to beat.

Yard are in tremendous form as Nicholls landed a four timer the other day at Taunton so all of his fancied runners have to be of major interest. The worthy favourite here.

The only mare in the line-up and one who tried her luck in Grade 1 company last time out. She was a fairly short price for the Kauto Star Novice’s Chase at Kempton 19 days ago, but things did not work out as she would have liked. She pulled up before four out and did not look like being a threat to any of her rivals and ground conditions may have had a part to play in her not succeeding on that occasion.

It was good to soft that day, but previously she has won races on heavy ground so this race should see her back to her best. Needs to prove that she can stay 3 miles over fences, but has to be respected regardless of her not so good run on her latest outing.

This 6 year old son of Yeats lacks experience at this level, but with only the four runners he cannot be totally dismissed as the only Irish raider in this small field. Is yet to be proven at the trip, but another in here who appreciates the softer/heavier ground.

His last win came on his penultimate run where he won over 2m6f at Thurles beating Churchstonewarrior by 2 ¼ lengths.

On his next start he was no match for the impressive Willie Mullins trained Ha D’or as he was beaten comfortably. Gordon Elliot’s runners that are sent over to Britain have to be noted, but will need to be at his very best to win this.

Gentleman At Arms was regularly seen on the flat where he raced 14 times winning just three races when he was being trained by Harry Dunlop.

He was then sent hurdling when joining Stuart Edmunds’ yard and did not do too badly winning a couple of races over the smaller obstacles.

He caused a surprise when coming second at big odds of 28/1 last year in a Grade 1 at Aintree, but that was a one off as he did not impress on the runs after that before being sent chasing.

Came third of eight on chase debut 17 days ago and will have to have learnt a lot from that to have any say in this as he will most likely go off as the outsider here.

Very unlikely to cause a shock and would want ground more on the good to soft/soft side.