All odds currently available with Betfair at time of writing
2.20 Chantaco @ 3.65
Won five times on the Flat (including a Zetland Gold Cup off 91); scrambled home on hurdling debut at Taunton but then looked a lot sharper at Wincanton, when beating previous winners with some authority; certainly won´t mind this better ground and big chance.
2.55 Nation State @ 9.8 e/w Sarin @ 10.5 e/w
Nation State: Decent handicap hurdler yet to entirely convince over fences, though has come down the weights and latest Newbury effort in the reapplied blinkers was better as he had a chance until stamina ebbed away over an extended 2m6f on deep ground; could go well.
Sarin: Dug deep to win after a break on only third chase start at Exeter in November and, although up 9lb, the other two involved in the finish have gone on to better things; could still be on a decent mark and forget Haydock last time as a dreadful error endedall hope.
Sarin: Dug deep to win after a break on only third chase start at Exeter in November and, although up 9lb, the other two involved in the finish have gone on to better things; could still be on a decent mark and forget Haydock last time as a dreadful error endedall hope.
3.30 Amber Brook @ 11.50 e/w Blaeberry @ 11.50 e/w
Amber Brook: Stays further and been rather onepaced back at this sort of trip the last twice but stiff finish will help and could be worth another chance on this better ground; still enough to prove.
Blaeberry: Well placed by trainer and continued to improve over hurdles and fences, though found wanting off slightly lower in an Aintree handicap chase recently; could probably have done without recent rain but still worth another chance with Timmy Murphy (1-1 on her) taking over from conditional.
Blaeberry: Well placed by trainer and continued to improve over hurdles and fences, though found wanting off slightly lower in an Aintree handicap chase recently; could probably have done without recent rain but still worth another chance with Timmy Murphy (1-1 on her) taking over from conditional.
4.05 Theatre Dance @ 5.10 Rimsky @ 14.5 e/w
Theatre Dance:Done well for this yard and handled transition to stamina test really well at Newbury recently though ran up against another progressive type; looks on a fair mark and go well again.
Rimsky: Out-and-out stayer in the mud but not obviously well treated back over hurdles after failing to get to grips with the principals in a Newbury handicap chase last month.
Rimsky: Out-and-out stayer in the mud but not obviously well treated back over hurdles after failing to get to grips with the principals in a Newbury handicap chase last month.
4.40 Lou Du Moulin Mas @ 4.40 Beauchamp Oracle @ 65.00 e/w
Lou Du Moulin Mas: Quite a smart handicap chaser at his best and class saw him home in hunter chase assignments at Folkestone and Fontwell, hammering Take The Stand on the second occasion; however, came up well short here last month when jumping left something to be desired; capable of better, admittedly.
Beauchamp Oracle: Fair hunter chaser on a sound surface and twice a course winner, but below his best this campaign and plenty to find with some of today´s rivals.
Beauchamp Oracle: Fair hunter chaser on a sound surface and twice a course winner, but below his best this campaign and plenty to find with some of today´s rivals.
5.15 Gold Reef @ 5.9 Dusty Springheeled @ 16.5 e/w
Gold Reef: Pleasing winning debut on Boxing Day and had Flowing On behind when second to a smart newcomer at Fakenham; surpassed those efforts when fourth in a Listed event at Sandown and stamina she showed that day should stand her in good stead round here; one offour Alan King runners.
Dusty Springheeled: From same family as good chaser Heltornic; fair to assume she didn´t go on the heavy when a beaten favourite last time but had previously run well on debut at Newbury and that form isn´t bad (fourth a winner since); wouldn´t be a surprise to see her in the mix.
Dusty Springheeled: From same family as good chaser Heltornic; fair to assume she didn´t go on the heavy when a beaten favourite last time but had previously run well on debut at Newbury and that form isn´t bad (fourth a winner since); wouldn´t be a surprise to see her in the mix.
