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Established Chaser – Gray Dawning
It was a Cheltenham Pageant to recollect for Dan Skelton, whose 4 winners included a Grade 1 double on the third day of the assembly, kicked off by GREY DAWNING’s gritty victory within the Turners Novices’ Chase.
Gray Dawning had completed runner-up to Ginny’s Future when the pair clashed in a novice chase at Cheltenham in December.
Nonetheless, he was giving the winner 3 lb on that event and, extra importantly, had made a stunning mistake on the second final when looming up.
Gray Dawning is basically a fluent jumper, although, and within the Turners, he put in an excellent spherical, which helped him to reverse the placings together with his previous rival and rating by a few lengths, with the runner-up eight lengths away from the third.
Ginny’s Future was one place earlier than Gray Dawning once they clashed once more at Aintree within the Manifesto Novices’ Chase.
Nonetheless, each needed to accept minor honours behind Arkle third Il Etait Temps, whose velocity proved decisive in a race run at a stop-start gallop that positioned far much less emphasis on stamina than had been the case within the Turners, which was run at a powerful tempo all through.
It’s additionally attainable that the dingdong battle at Cheltenham had taken the sting off Ginny’s Future and Gray Dawning at Aintree, and they’re higher judged on the shape that they had proven within the Turners. Gray Dawning appeals as a number one contender for Grade1s in open firm this season.
He additionally appears more likely to be suited by the return to 3 miles, given how completely he noticed out the journey when profitable in a well-run version of the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick in January.
Novice Hurdler – Kopek Des Bordes
The precious Tattersalls Eire George Mernagh Memorial Gross sales Bumper, run at Fairyhouse’s Easter Pageant and value €60,000 to the winner, could have thrown up a wonderful prospect for the second 12 months working.
Subsequent Grade 1 winner Brighterdaysahead took the prize in 2023, whereas the newest winner, KOPEK DES BORDES, additionally appears to be like destined to make his mark in prime novice hurdles following a massively spectacular victory.
Considered one of three debutants within the line-up for Mullins, Kopek des Bordes, was despatched off the 15/8 favorite below Patrick Mullins, who gave him a supremely assured trip.
Travelling strongly held up, Kopek des Bordes improved to go second early within the straight after which led on the bridle over a furlong out earlier than drawing away from long-time chief Clap of Thunder to win by 13 lengths with one other 9 again to one in every of his stablemates Physician Steinberg in third.
In addition to some helpful winners in France, Kopek des Bordes can also be a half-brother to Utopie des Bordes, who proved a helpful staying hurdler for Nicky Henderson after profitable the Grade 1 Prix Maurice Gillois for four-year-old chasers at Auteuil earlier in her profession.
Kopek des Bordes has a pedigree that means he’ll be even higher when despatched leaping, and he’s anticipated to rank excessive amongst this season’s novice hurdlers.
Novice Chaser – Caldwell Potter
CALDWELL POTTER comes from one in every of bounce racing’s most profitable households: a brother of the ill-fated four-time Grade 1 winner Mighty Potter and a half-brother of rising star Brighterdaysahead, who has since received a Grade 1.
His half-brothers, French Dynamite and Indiana Jones, have been profitable at Grade 3 stage. Nicholls shortly dominated out a visit to the Cheltenham Pageant with Caldwell Potter after his costly buy out of Gordon Elliott’s yard, stating that the horse would wish extra time to acclimate.
However the report buy was declared for the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree for a conflict together with his former stablemate and half-sister Brighterdaysahead. Sadly, an contaminated foot meant Caldwell Potter needed to miss that engagement, and we by no means bought to see the extent of his potential over hurdles.
However his type when profitable his Grade 1 at Leopardstown marks him as one of the vital thrilling prospects for novice chases this season. Caldwell Potter, a decisive winner on two of his three begins over hurdles, has raced solely at journeys round two miles however can have no downside staying two and a half miles.
Handicap Hurdler – Each Barrels
BOTH BARRELS is but to complete out of the body in his seven outings. Beginning the earlier season in bumpers, he belied his odds of 66/1 when working his finest race on his third and remaining outing in that sphere to complete third behind one other of our Fifty, Bertie’s Ballet, in one other of the Go North Finals at Kelso.
Each Barrels made his hurdling debut in a novice race at Carlisle final November, ending fourth behind the helpful Johnnywho who spent the remainder of the season in graded firm and was then gambled on when third behind Worcester winner Ikarak in an analogous occasion at Newcastle.
However, Each Barrels discovered life a bit simpler in handicaps and confirmed enchancment at Ayr in February. His leaping may have been quite a bit tidier, however he did nicely to see off all his rivals bar the simple winner, Ireland Avenue, who was below his penalty for profitable at Carlisle the earlier week.
Each Barrels’ first win was solely delayed, although, and off the identical mark at Kelso, he may go one higher when despatched off favorite to beat a largely uncovered bunch. The Kelso race, at simply over two and three-quarter miles, is the furthest distance Each Barrels has raced over thus far, and he guarantees to remain three miles, being by high-class Flat stayer Saddler’s Rock.
Handicap Chaser – Demnat
French recruit DENMAT had a 32-month absence to beat when making his first begin for Venetia Williams in a two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Ludlow in February. However he did so in model, trying probably sensible as he travelled enthusiastically on the entrance finish earlier than drawing 15 lengths clear.
That was the clear spotlight of the marketing campaign for Demnat, who was finally crushed a good distance on two of his three subsequent begins and pulled up on the opposite event. However he formed higher than the consequence a few occasions and shall be one to be careful for on his return after receiving some respite from the handicapper.
He’s already proven his effectiveness when contemporary and represents a coach who excels with such sorts. Certainly, final season, Williams’ report with chasers working for the primary time after an absence of 150 days or longer was 15 winners from 53 runners at a strike price over 28%, which returned a revenue of £31 to £1 stage stakes.
Demnat is now solely 5 lb heavier within the weights than when profitable at Ludlow, and if he’s stored to journeys at round two and a half miles, he’s anticipated to carry his type higher.
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