Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase Tips: Monty’s Star can shine

Day two of the Cheltenham Festival and the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase is the first action over fences on what promises to be another scintillating afternoon in the Cotswolds, as hot-favourite Fact To File faces five rivals over the extended three-mile distance.

1. American Mike (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) @ 10/1 

Second in the Champion Bumper two seasons ago and took the scalp of Fact To File on their respective chasing bows at Navan (2m4f, soft to heavy) in November. Poor effort at Limerick over Christmas, but has since won a Grade 2 at Navan over this sort of trip and not underestimated back here.

2. Fact To File (Willie Mullins/Mark Walsh) @ 10/11

Second in last year's Champion Bumper here and connections went straight to chasing this term. Surprisingly beaten by American Mike on comeback at Navan but 2-2 since over 2m5½f at Leopardstown.

Only faced one rival in a Grade 1 there last month and he faltered badly, seemingly, but this chap posted a fine time on the clock and is much-respected.

3. Giovinco (Lucinda Russell/Stephen Mulqueen) 22/1

Shows a 2-5 record this season over fences including close second to Stay Away Fay in a Sandown Grade 2 in December. He moved menacingly there, but the winner outstayed him. Will be aiming for a late challenge up the hill.

4. Monty's Star (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) @ 9/2

Only has two runs over fences, finishing third behind Corbetts Cross at Fairyhouse (2m5½f, soft) in early December and then reversing form from that race with Three Card Brag when scoring in striking fashion over this sort of trip at Punchestown on New Year's Eve.

There should be plenty more to come from him.

5. Sandor Clegane (Paul Nolan/Sean O'Keefe) @ 20/1

Emerged with lots of credit after finishing third in the Albert Bartlett last season and, while 0-3 as a chaser this term, he has twice finished second in graded races at Punchestown and Naas over this sort of trip. Improving all the while, but a career-best is likely needed now.

6. Stay Away Fay (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) @ 10/3

Albert Bartlett winner last March, holding on gamely after being left alone at the last. 2-3 over fences and this strong stayer can get tapped for toe in his races, but will stick to the challenge. Tried in open company in Grade 2 Cotswold Chase here on Trials Day and ran well behind Capodanno and last year's winner of this, The Real Whacker. Definite contender.

Tips:

Monty's Star @ 9/2 

There's no doubting Fact To File looked very good at the Dublin Racing Festival and he posted a clever time, but his only rival capitulated and he was granted a solo.

He was also beaten by American Mile earlier in the season and is heading into his toughest test thus far as an odds-on favourite.

Last year's Albert Bartlett winner Stay Away Fay will grind away in the latter stages but might just lack for some tactical speed, though he has accounted for Giovinco this season already.

Sandor Clegane was arguably the best horse on the day in the Albert Bartlett last year and could produce a massive run now, but MONTY'S STAR earns the nod.

He flopped in that three-mile novice contest here last season with Henry de Bromhead believing a tough race at Clonmel a month previous had taken its toll.

No shock, then, that we haven't seen him since an authoritative dismissal of Three Card Brag on New Year's Eve at Punchestown. He's completely unexposed and can cause a mild upset.

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