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Timeform's runner-by-runner guide to the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
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Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
14:10 Cheltenham, Wednesday
Live on ITV
1. American Mike (Gordon Elliott/ Jack Kennedy)
Second in the 2022 Champion Bumper and, after something of a spell in the wilderness over hurdles, looks to be coming of age over fences, beating Fact To File on his return at Navan and resuming winning ways upped to three miles in a Grade 2 there last month, responding well. Always highly regarded, supplemented for this at a cost and could figure prominently on ground that suits.
2. Fact To File (Willie Mullins/ Mark Walsh)
Well-regarded sort who was quickly switched to fences. Learned plenty from his chase debut second to American Mike and impressed with his sure-footed jumping when winning a Leopardstown maiden at Christmas (good form) before seeing off Gaelic Warrior in a Grade 1 match there last time, travelling and again jumping well. Longer trip sure to suit and ticks all the boxes.
3. Giovinco (Lucinda Russell/ Stephen Mulqueen)
Unbeaten over hurdles and has continued progress over fences this season, landing an Aintree novice handicap before finishing a good second to Stay Away Fay in a Sandown Grade 2. Resumed winning ways when easily landing the odds in a match race at Newcastle and holds outside place claims in another small-field affair. Return to this trip won't hinder (connections eyeing Scottish National next month).
4. Monty's Star (Henry de Bromhead/ Rachael Blackmore)
Half-brother to the top-class Monalee (runner-up in this in 2018) and is very much going the right way, finishing third in one of the strongest maiden chases of the season at Fairyhouse on his return before winning well at Punchestown over three miles. Capable of better, though did bomb out in last year's Albert Bartlett so has to prove that this venue suits.
5. Sandor Clegane (Paul Nolan/ Sean O'Keeffe)
Was a staying-on third to Stay Away Fay in last year's Albert Bartlett and has made a fair start over fences this term without winning, the pick of his efforts coming when chasing home Embassy Gardens in a Grade 3 at Naas in a first-time tongue tie seven weeks ago. Plenty on his plate here.
6. Stay Away Fay (Paul Nicholls/ Harry Cobden)
Won the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle last year and has been even better over fences this term, winning three-mile events at Exeter and Sandown (Grade 2) before finishing a fine three-and-a-half lengths third of six to Capodanno in open company in the Cotswold Chase here in January. Seems sure to put up a bold showing from the front on ground that holds no fears now back against the novices. Cheekpieces go on.
Timeform's Analyst Verdict:
FACT TO FILE has impressed with his sure-footed jumping when winning at Leopardstown the last twice and the 2023 Champion Bumper runner-up will be hard to beat with the step up in trip sure to suit him. Last year's Albert Bartlett hero Stay Away Fay was a fine third taking on much more experienced chasers in the Cotswold here in January and is the danger.
Timeform's 1-2-3:
1. Fact To File
2. Stay Away Fay
3. Monty's Star