Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Entries: 34 left in for three mile novice showpiece

The second race on the Wednesday at Cheltenham is of course the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, registered as the Broadway Novices' Chase. The big three mile race at the Festival for staying Novices', a host of brilliant horses have stamped themselves out as star staying chasers of the future in this race. Denman, Lord Windermere and Bobs Worth are some recent winners of the race who have gone on to claim Cheltenham Gold Cup glory, although no winner has done this since 2013. Might Bite came closest after his dramatic Broadway win, going down in an epic battle to Native River in the following year's Gold Cup. 34 horses remain in the mix for the 2023 renewal and here we take a look at some of the leading fancies...

It is not often a horse is allowed a second go at a novice race at the Cheltenham Festival a year on, but because of how inexperienced he was when finishing a good third last season behind L'Homme Presse, Gallard Du Mesnil could take that chance in the 2023 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. Patrick Mullins will no doubt be pleading with father Willie to send him to the National Hunt chase instead so that he can take the ride on what would be a short priced favourite. The fact he is still in this race however has sent some bookmakers running for cover and with both NRNB and antepost books he is as short as 4/1 favourite. He has looked much improved again this year and certainly doesn't look a slow horse who would need the marathon trip of the NH Chase, so if he is to come here off the back of what he has already achieved he would warrant favouritism.

Next in the market is Thyme Hill, A very classy staying hurdler for the Philip Hobbs team, he bounced back from an odds-on upset last time out over fences when flying round Kempton in the Kauto Star to demolish McFabulous by 15 lengths. This was a serious performance and to this point he looks the best of British for this division. Not far behind him, however, is one of this season's surprise packages The Real Whacker for Patrick Neville. He has won in commanding fashion twice at big odds at Prestbury Park and is a real improver for fences, so if coming to this race would have a live chance.

The fact the Turners Novices' Chase exists is a point of annoyance for many racing purists and it undoubtedly weakens both the Arkle and this race. One horse we won't know his target until the last minute is James Du Berlais for Willie Mullins, but wherever he goes he will be a threat. Sent to the Champion Hurdle on his first start for the Irish champion trainer, it is clear the regard this former French star is held in at Closutton and although he could easily swerve this race and opt for the intermediate race, there is no question he will have the stamina for this race looking back through his form. Gerri Colombe is another big Irish hope still in the entries list and he has been the pick of many antepost. He has gone off favourite for every race so far in his career and bolted up as the odds suggested he would, and one gets the impression connections have barely scratched the surface of his ability. He looks a future Gold Cup prospect and will be one of the market leaders on the day for Gordon Elliott.

Looking further down the odds lists there are plenty of intriguing runners, none more so than last season's Albert Bartlett fourth Ballygrifincottage. The Skelton inmate was bought with staying chases in mind and he has looked a natural over his fences. With the three that finished in front of him in the Albert Bartlett all missing from the entries for this race for different reasons, on form one could argue he should be shorter than he is at present. The fact he was removed from the National Hunt Chase and this is his sole target is another bonus. Ramillies is the last we will focus on before providing a full list of the 34 still entered, and he is another from the all conquering Willie Mullins yard. Like Ballygrifincottage he was always set to be a chaser and never looked happy in bumpers or over the smaller obstacles. HIs sole chasing effort has been in victory and he looked a classy sort on that day, so although if he were with any other yard he'd probably be a bigger price he is one to keep an eye on.