Betfair Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Lancashire Chase)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 7m 0.30s

Bristol De Mai²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 160| C

11/10

Top class mudlark who won here in the Peter Marsh in January and returned as good as ever when beating stablemate Blaklion ½L in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, with 23L back to the third. Looks to hold strong claims despite official ratings.

Form: 21375-1

Cue Card^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 168| C

2/1

His record in this race reads 1-4-1-1 and returns to try to equal Kauto Star's record of four wins in the race. Conditions no problem for him and although his jumping is not flawless he has had no trouble with that at this venue. Major player again.

Form: 121F2-F

Outlander^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 166

5/1

Triple Grade 1 winner in Ireland and loves to get his toe in. Disappointed in Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Punchestown equivalent in the spring, but back to form with his James Nicholson win at Down Royal (3m, soft) and should be very competitive.

Form: 210P-61

Shantou Flyer^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: R Hobson| OR: 154

50/1

Has won a Grade 3 and a Grade 2, but has 15L to find with Cue Card on their Grade 1 Ascot Chase running from February and although he won't mind these conditions, he needs several others to be below par to have a chance of springing a surprise.

Form: 9142P-5

Tea For Two²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Nick Williams| OR: 164

9/1

Tasted Grade 1 glory when outpointing Cue Card by ½L at Aintree in April (3m1f, good). Beaten 7L by Bristol De Mai in a Grade 1 novices' chase in 2016, but goes on the ground and fully entitled to have another crack at a major prize. Competitive.

Form: 241U1-9

Traffic Fluide^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 153

28/1

Trainer said this week that this will be the first time in England that he has had his favoured conditions (won on heavy in France). Worst off at the weights here but placed in three Grade 1s already and there have been bigger shocks in this race.

Form: 46632-4

Forecasts

Bristol De Mai (11/10), Cue Card (2/1), Outlander (5/1), Tea For Two (9/1), Traffic Fluide (28/1), Shantou Flyer (50/1)

With the withdrawal in midweek of Gold Cup winner Sizing John, there may have been a little edge taken off this year's renewal, but there is still a fine race in prospect. Cue Card would be a hugely popular record-equalling winner and although he came back from an under-par first effort to win this last year, another fall at Wetherby last time was not ideal and has prompted a change of pilot. Bristol De Mai was very impressive that day and this may turn out to be his Gold Cup, but he will be plenty short enough and the suggestion with not much to find on the ratings is OUTLANDER. Back to form last time in Ireland, he also goes on the ground and can lift his first Grade 1 on these shores. Tea For Two can also go very well, while if there is a shock then Traffic Fluide may be the one to provide it.