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13:20 Kempton

Tuesday 26 December 2023

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (In Memory Of Nigel Clark) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 51.3s

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Selected odds by:

Giovinco¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 147| D

11/2

3-3 over hurdles and this point winner has quickly made up into an even better chaser, producing a smart performance to win Aintree novice handicap in November. Tanked through the race before getting outstayed in the closing stages by Stay Away Fay in a 3m Sandown Grade 2 since.

Form: 111-U12

Hermes Allen^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 151| D

11/8

Most impressive winner of the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury last Christmas. Came up short in novice hurdles at the spring Festivals but looked a top-notch recruit to chasing when making a successful reappearance after wind surgery in a 2½m Grade 2 at Newbury 25 days ago. Hard to beat.

Form: 11163-1

Il Est Francais⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J Reveley| T: N George & A Zetterholm

13/8

Very smart hurdler in France and has taken very well to chasing this autumn, winning twice at Auteuil, latterly easily making all in a listed event over 2¾m. Fascinating contender.

Form: 1115-11

Kilbeg King^p1,t1³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 135| D

28/1

Useful novice hurdler at up to 3m last season. Third in 2 chases at up to 2½m this time round. Open to improvement now stepping up to 3m but he'll need a big career best to get heavily involved at this level. Equipped with a first-time cheekpieces and tongue tie combination.

Form: 6121-33

Marble Sands²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 142

20/1

Developed into a useful hurdler last season and stepped up again when making a successful chase debut in an Ayr novice handicap in November. Finished 11¾ lengths behind Hermes Allen in Newbury Grade 2 since, though.

Form: 5156-14

Tightenourbelts²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 140

12/1

Maiden hurdle winner last season and made the perfect start to his chase career in a Ludlow novice handicap (2½m, soft) in November. Improved again when third in Newbury Grade 2 3 weeks later. Likely more to come but has 11½ lengths to make up on Hermes Allen from Newbury.

Form: 4221-13

Forecasts

Hermes Allen (11/8), Il Est Francais (13/8), Giovinco (11/2), Tightenourbelts (12/1), Marble Sands (20/1), Kilbeg King (28/1)

A cracking renewal. HERMES ALLEN ran to a really high level for a chase newcomer when taking a Newbury Grade 2 on his reappearance and will be a tough nut to crack if showing up in similar form. The way Giovinco travelled at Sandown last time suggests 3m around here could be ideal for him and he's second choice ahead of exciting French challenger Il Est Francais.