1.45pm The Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices’ Chase Grade 1) (GBB Race

THE CLOSE BROTHERS HENRY VIII NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE)

for novice four yrs old and upwards x Total race value £80000

Owners Prize Money. 1st £34864, 2nd £14312, 3rd £7160, 4th £3576. (Penalty Value £45560) FORM ANALYSIS - A CLOSER LOOK | FACTS | FANCIES | FORM | STATS |

Leading course trainer (17-22): N Henderson (30 wins from 134 runners, 22%) runs JONBON

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): D Skelton (11 wins from 66 runners, 17%) runs UNEXPECTED PARTY

Fancy That: N Henderson won this race in 2012 and 2016. The stable runs JONBON today.

Longest Traveller: HONNEUR D’AJONC trained by Mrs J Williams, South Molton, 174 miles.

J Jockey T Trainer O Owner B Breeder S Sponsor Br Breeding colours no horse age st-lb

1 BOOTHILL (IRE) (14) 402-P11 D 7 11-7

Br B or Br g Presenting - Oyster Pipit (IRE) (Accordion) Jonathan Burke J O Brian & Sandy Lambert Harry Fry, Corscombe T B Noel James Grosvenor Sport S TIMEFORM VIEW Useful hurdles winner who was right back on track when making his second chase outing a winning one at Newton Abbot in October. Took his form up a level when following up in a competitive contest at Ascot a fortnight ago and with better still to come, he looks the biggest danger to Jonbon. TFRHHHHI BHA147

2 HONNEUR D’AJONC (FR) (22) 2114-50 5 11-7

Br B g Diamond Boy (FR) - Fleur d’Ajonc (FR) (April Night (FR)) David Noonan J O Mr J Allison & Mrs Jane Williams Mrs Jane Williams, South Molton T B M. Besnouin & M. Feuillet-Besnouin Culverhill Farm Racing S TIMEFORM VIEW Built up a good strike rate over hurdles last season, gaining fourth victory in a Wincanton novice (15.2f) in February. Little to shout about on both outings over fences this term though, so he shouldn’t be troubling the main protagonists. TFRHHIII BHA123

3 JONBON (FR) (17) 11121-1 D 6 11-7

Br B g Walk In The Park (IRE) - Star Face (FR) (Saint des Saints (FR)) Aidan Coleman J

O Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson, Lambourn T

B Mr Lotfi Kohli TIMEFORM VIEW Brother to top-class Douvan and made up into a smart novice hurdler last term, going 4-5 with success in Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April. Looked potentially out of the top drawer when bolting up on chase debut/return at Warwick last month so he should take all the beating today. TFRHHHHH BHA152

4 UNEXPECTED PARTY (FR) (19) 1221P-2 7 11-7

Br Gr g Martaline - Reform Act (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid (USA)) Kielan Woods J O O’Reilly MacLennan Tynan Carthy Shanahan Dan Skelton, Alcester T B Mr & Mrs Gilles Forien Ashford Stud S TIMEFORM VIEW Progressed well in handicap hurdles last season, winning at Wetherby and Ascot. Encouraging debut in this sphere having had another breathing operation when runner-up on return at Exeter (19.2f, good to soft) last month and he seems sure to do better over fences. TFRHHHII BHA141

DECLARED RUNNERS 4 2021: EDWARDSTONE 7 11 2 Tom Cannon 3-1 (Alan King) 7 ran

Tongue Strap worn by No. 1. Stewards Note: HONNEUR D’AJONC: Following its run on 11/11/2022 it was reported that the horse erred badly late-on. UNEXPECTED PARTY: Following its run on 14/11/2022 it was reported that the horse was hampered by a loose horse. Probable S.P’s: 1-3 Jonbon (FR), 4-1 Boothill (IRE), 12-1 Unexpected Party (FR), 100-1 Honneur d’Ajonc (FR)

PLAY SMARTER It’s tough to look beyond JONBON, who couldn’t have been any more impressive on his highly-anticipated chasing debut at Warwick last month, and with Nicky Henderson’s star likely to prove one of the best in the division this campaign, he should take all the beating. Boothill put up a smart performance on just his third start over fences when winning at Ascot a fortnight ago and he looks the most obvious selection for forecast purposes.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.JONBON (FR) 2.BOOTHILL (IRE) 3.UNEXPECTED PARTY (FR)

RACE RESULT

1ST 2ND RACE TIME DISTANCE 3RD 4TH

GREAT BRITISH BONUS SCHEME

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