15:15 Wetherby

Saturday 4 November 2017

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 29.40s

Bristol De Mai²¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 159| D

6/1

Developed into a high-class chaser last season and was by no means disgraced in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Best winning form came on a soft surface at Haydock and he may find this going a little lively if rain stays away.

Form: 221375-

Cue Card^t²¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 168| BF| CD

5/2

Magnificent chaser who, despite his advancing years, managed to win two Grade 1 contests last season. Has not always been at his best in this contest and it may be a prep race for Haydock's Betfair Chase, but he still warrants maximum respect.

Form: 3121F2-

Definitly Red²¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 159| CD

8/1

Progressive chaser last season, winning three times, including over C&D. Heavily backed for the Grand National when last seen, but was pulled up after being badly hampered. May still be on the upgrade and enters calculations.

Form: 131U1P-

Shantou Flyer^t²¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: R Hobson| OR: 156| D

40/1

Decent level of form for Rebecca Curtis last term, but was firmly put in his place by Cue Card at Ascot. Behind when pulled up in the Grand National on his final start, he now sets out for a new trainer with a bit to prove.

Form: 29142P-

Vieux Lion Rouge^p²¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 154| D

25/1

Thorough stayer who won big handicaps at Aintree and Haydock last season. Ran well to be sixth in the Grand National and this contest, which looks on the sharp side, seems to be a prep for a repeat bid in next month's Becher Chase back at Aintree.

Form: 267/116-

Blaklion²¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 155| BF| CD

5/1

Landed the RSA Chase in 2016, but failed to win last season despite running some fine races, including a superb fourth in the Grand National when he seemed to go for home too soon. Trainer says this is a prep run for next month's Becher Chase.

Form: 3/45324-

Coneygree¹⁹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: M Bradstock| OR: 164| D

7/4

Top-class chaser who landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a novice in 2015. Has had his share of problems since and was thrashed by Cue Card at Haydock last year, but his close third to Sizing John at Punchestown in the spring gives him every chance.

Form: 1111/23-

Village Vic²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 158| C| D

33/1

Particularly effective over 2m5f round Cheltenham and normally jumps superbly, so it was a shock to see him on the grass on his reappearance at Chepstow. Has to bounce back and stamina is an issue.

Form: 2320P-F

Non-Runners

Double Shuffle²⁰

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: T R George J: Adrian Heskin

Virgilio¹⁶⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Coneygree (7/4), Cue Card (5/2), Blaklion (5/1), Bristol De Mai (6/1), Definitly Red (8/1), Virgilio (20/1), Double Shuffle (20/1), Vieux Lion Rouge (25/1), Village Vic (33/1), Shantou Flyer (40/1)

An cracking renewal of this contest. Most neutrals will be willing on Cue Card and Coneygree and their form entitles them to maximum respect. However, both may be using this as a stepping stone to the Betfair Chase at Haydock later this month and, at the prices, could be worth taking on. Bristol De Mai would have been the choice had the ground been softer, while his stable companion Blaklion and Vieux Lion Rouge are Becher Chase-bound and may be shaper for the run. The suggesgtion, then, is DEFINITLY RED, who was progressive last season and may have more to offer over a C&D he seems to enjoy.