Whittlebury Hall Beginners' Chase

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 6m 9.30s

Indian Hawk²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134

1/2

2-5 over hurdles having cost connections £110,000 last spring. Looks the type to be suited by fences and sets the standard on his chasing bow.

Form: 1181P5

Malapie¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr T A McClorey⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 127| D

13/8

Lightly raced 10-year-old goes well with plenty of cut in the ground and has won 4-15 races to date. Starts chasing career somehwat late in the day but doesn't have many miles on the clock so may win a race or two.

Form: 818393

Stolberg^p,t¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 101| D

25/1

4-32 to date over timber and won in heavy ground at Lingfield in January. Rated a couple of stones behind Indian Hawk and Malapie on hurdles form so appears to have something to find to make a winnig chasing debut.

Form: F1P494

Sussex Road^p⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: T J Phelan| T: A Sadik| OR: 52

150/1

0-35 and hasn't beaten a single horse in any of his last 12 starts. No chance on that evidence but should pick up a few quid if he completes this time.

Form: P334PP

Forecasts

Indian Hawk (1/2), Malapie (13/8), Stolberg (25/1), Sussex Road (150/1)

INDIAN HAWK and Malapie are the ones to concentrate on with preference for the former who is four years younger than his anticipated main rival and has plenty of scope to do well over fences. Malapie is a fair sort and should win races, but may find he's run into a tough rival on his chasing bow. Stolberg looks booked for third if he stands up, while Sussex Road needs the other three to fail to complete to have a chance - and even then he's no certaintly to finish!