BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES’ CHASE - PREVIEW & TIPS
2:00 CHELTENHAM
BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES' CHASE (GRADE 1) (REGISTERED AS THE BROADWAY NOVICES' CHASE) (GBB RACE)
The Festival’s premier staying novice chase and a race that regularly shapes the future Gold Cup picture.
BROWN ADVISORY - PREVIEW
First run in 1921 and long known to many as the RSA Chase, this Grade 1 has historically been the definitive test for emerging staying chasers. Run over three miles on the Old Course with twenty fences to be negotiated, it demands accurate jumping, stamina and the ability to maintain rhythm in a relentlessly run contest. The roll of honour contains some of the most important staying chasers of the modern era, including Denman, Bobs Worth, Might Bite, Presenting Percy and Monkfish, while several winners have later captured the Cheltenham Gold Cup, underlining its significance within the staying chase division.
This year’s renewal is unusually large and deep, with sixteen runners declared and several distinct form lines intersecting. Romeo Coolio brings high-class two-mile Grade 1 form into the race but steps up dramatically in trip, while Kaid d’Authie arrives after a commanding Grade 1 success at the Dublin Racing Festival. Horses such as Final Demand, Koktail Divin, Wendigo and Oscars Brother add further depth to an open contest.
BROWN ADVISORY - RUNNER BY RUNNER GUIDE
ARGENTO BOY - 50/1
A progressive staying novice who has won both completed chase starts, including a Grade 3 at Naas over three miles on heavy ground. His ability to stay is not in doubt, but the overall level of form leaves him with a considerable amount to find against Grade 1 opposition. He should travel in mid-division but may struggle once the pace increases down the back straight.
FINAL DEMAND - 11/2
A high-class novice hurdler last season who quickly confirmed his ability over fences with two impressive wins, including a Grade 1 at Limerick. His defeat behind Kaid d’Authie at the Dublin Racing Festival raised questions, however and the application of a first-time tongue-tie suggests connections are seeking improvement. If returning to his earlier form he is a major player, though he must prove that Leopardstown run was a blip.
JOYSTICK - 66/1
Showed marked improvement when winning a Navan maiden chase over three miles in January, making all and staying on strongly in testing conditions. That performance suggested stamina is a strength, but the form achieved still falls well short of the level typically required for this race. This represents a substantial rise in class.
KAID D'AUTHIE - 11/2
Has progressed rapidly since switching to fences, improving with each start and producing a particularly convincing display in the Grade 1 at Leopardstown where he defeated Western Fold and Final Demand. His jumping was accurate and efficient throughout that contest and he found plenty when challenged late on. The step up to three miles looks well within range and his profile strongly suggests further improvement.
KITZBUHEL - 18/1
Set the early standard among this season’s novice chasers when defeating Kaid d’Authie on debut before landing the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton. However, his unseat at Sandown last time raises questions about his jumping under pressure and he has shown a tendency to edge right at his fences. A return to form would put him in the mix, though others appear to have progressed past him.
KOKTAIL DIVIN - 7/1
Improved significantly when winning impressively at Leopardstown over Christmas, quickening clear in a race that often proves a useful pointer for this contest. Earlier defeats to Romeo Coolio and Oscars Brother provide useful form lines and he remains open to further improvement over fences. His stamina for this longer trip is not fully established but his overall profile is appealing.
NOW IS THE HOUR - 50/1
Produced a career-best when winning the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, staying on strongly over three miles in testing conditions. While that performance showed admirable resilience, it came in handicap company and he now faces a far deeper field. He would need another sizeable step forward to feature prominently.
OSCARS BROTHER - 14/1
A progressive chaser who has developed into a serious staying prospect this season, winning Grade 2 contests at Punchestown and Navan over three miles. His jumping has been sound and he typically races prominently, which is often advantageous in this race. If continuing his upward trajectory he could remain competitive deep into the contest.
PREDATORS GOLD - 50/1
A talented novice hurdler who returned from a long absence to win a Navan maiden chase before finishing third in a Punchestown Grade 3. While he retains potential over fences, the form achieved so far suggests he may lack the experience required for a race of this intensity.
ROMEO COOLIO - 2/1
One of the most naturally talented horses in the field, having won multiple Grade 1 novice chases over shorter distances this season. His finishing effort in the Irish Arkle hinted that stamina might not be an issue, but the step up from two miles to three represents a significant new test. If seeing out the trip he has the class to win, though the hood suggests connections are still learning about how best to manage his racing style.
RUSHMOUNT - 100/1
Improved dramatically when bolting up in a Thurles handicap chase, but that performance came in much weaker company. His overall profile suggests he is unlikely to match the class of the leading contenders here.
SALVER - 40/1
A smart novice who has won Grade 2 races at Sandown and Windsor over staying trips. His jumping has occasionally lacked fluency and he will need to be much sharper in this company. However, his proven stamina and solid graded form ensure he cannot be entirely dismissed.
THOMAS MOR - 66/1
Produced a fine effort when second in the Kauto Star at Kempton, staying on well behind Kitzbuhel. That performance confirmed his stamina and determination, though he must improve again to trouble the principals here.
WENDIGO - 9/1
A steadily improving novice who has adapted well to chasing, notably winning a Grade 2 at Newbury before impressing over three miles at Ayr. His stamina is a clear strength and the return to a galloping track should suit him better than Kempton. Among the British runners, he looks one of the most credible contenders.
WESTERN FOLD - 14/1
A progressive performer who won the Galway Plate earlier in the season and confirmed his ability at Grade 1 level when finishing second to Kaid d’Authie at Leopardstown. That form reads well in the context of this race and he remains capable of further improvement over staying trips.
THE BIG WESTERNER - 12/1
Runner-up in last year’s Albert Bartlett and already a Grade 2 winner over fences this season. She receives the mares’ allowance, which helps narrow the gap with the leading contenders. While her stamina is assured, she still needs improvement to match the strongest form in the race.
BROWN ADVISORY - FINAL THOUGHTS
With a large field and several runners who prefer prominent tactics, the race should be run at a strong tempo from the outset. Horses such as Kitzbuhel, Oscars Brother and Wendigo could ensure the pace is genuine, turning the final mile into a searching test of stamina and jumping.
Kaid d’Authie makes the strongest appeal. His victory at the Dublin Racing Festival was the performance of a horse perfectly suited to this type of race, combining accurate jumping with the ability to sustain pressure in the closing stages. The step up to three miles looks likely to bring further improvement and his overall profile suggests he is still progressing.
The obvious danger is Romeo Coolio, whose raw ability may prove decisive if he stays the distance. Western Fold has solid Grade 1 form and could be involved again, while Wendigo appears the best of the British challengers with his stamina likely to be a significant asset.