Charles Stanley Financial Planning Novices' Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 3m 54.3s

One For Billy^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| D

4/1

122-rated hurdler seems an improved sort since switching to fences with two wins and two seconds in four starts. Narrowly touched off over C&D latest against a dual chase scorer receiving 7lb. Form solid and big player here.

Form: 56-2112

Dear Sire^h¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 142| BF| D

5/1

Enjoyed an excellent record over hurdles and won first chase start over 2m5f at Cartmel. Looked likely to follow up next until falling two out so could have arrived here two-from-two. Drop to 2m no issue and is the top-rated horse here.

Form: F12-01F

Royal Plaza¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs K Stephens| OR: 124| D

50/1

Winner of two of his final three starts for Olly Murphy including a selling hurdle over an extended 2m at Stratford and a 2m2f chase at Fontwell. Last of four on stable debut at Newton Abbot and up against it here facing improving rivals.

Form: 3-31214

Caid Du Lin^p,t²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland

3/1

Won one of 14 for this stable over hurdles although set some stiff tasks along the way. Not seen since February and now makes his chasing debut but not out of this on hurdles from at the weights so all about how he jumps.

Form: 7220P2-

Equus Amadeus¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: T Lacey| D

5/2

Looked promising when following up an Exeter bumper win with a Uttoxeter hurdles success but not added to that in six starts since. Now switches to fences which might suit but stiff task at the weights first time up.

Form: P523-54

Gustave Mahler²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: A Ralph| OR: 130| CD

9/2

Unplaced in all four chase starts and gone down narrowly last twice at Southwell (2m) under today's rider. Bit to find at the weights but surely will be winning a race of this nature sooner rather than later.

Form: 3P-2322

Forecasts

Equus Amadeus (5/2), Caid Du Lin (3/1), One For Billy (4/1), Gustave Mahler (9/2), Dear Sire (5/1), Royal Plaza (50/1)

DEAR SIRE was a very useful hurdler for Donald McCain and made a bright start to his chasing career at Cartmel before tipping up there last time when looking likely to follow up. He is the best treated at the weights here and could be open to further improvement so gets the nod to make amends for that fall. Gustave Mahler may be the biggest threat having gone down in close finishes the last twice at Southwell. Receiving weight from the top two he should make a bold bid. One For Billy is making good strides over fences but the double penalty for his two wins means he will need to improve again to win.