Christy 1965 Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 12.10s

Politologue^h,t²²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 168| CD

5/4

Last season saw him develop into a top class performer with Grade One wins at Aintree (2m4f) and Sandown (2m) the highlights. Goes up in trip this season with King George and possibly Gold Cup on radar and looks a cut above these rivals.

Form: 111241-

Gold Present²¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152| CWS

15/2

Course winner over 3m last term but season ended in disappointment with him pulled up at Cheltenham Festival and in the Scottish National. Trip on the sharp side these days and hard to fancy in this company.

Form: 2F/11PP-

Benatar⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 149| BF| CD

9/2

High class novice last year winning three times including C&D Grade Two, third behind top class duo in Festival Grade One next to end the campaign. Too keen on reappearance at Newton Abbot last month but should fare better now and looks the danger.

Form: 4/1113-4

Charbel⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 159

5/2

Beaten 5¾L into fourth by Politologue in last season's Tingle Creek in a quiet campaign. Third to Hammersly Lake first time out before beating subsequent Bet Victor Gold Cup winner Baron Alco at Chepstow. Should get closer to Politologue at weights.

Form: 3/44F-31

Hammersly Lake³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 165| D

16/1

Likable sort has been on the go all summer winning at Cartmel and Perth along the way. Unplaced in US Grand National last time and generally comes up short at this sort of level.

Form: P-73121

Sizing Granite^p⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: N D Fehily| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 156

33/1

Five-time chase winner was pulled up in this last year and beaten 20L into third by Politologue at Aintree in April. Unplaced in four subsequent starts too and has a mountain to climb here.

Form: 136-066

Forecasts

Politologue (5/4), Charbel (5/2), Benatar (9/2), Gold Present (15/2), Hammersly Lake (16/1), Sizing Granite (33/1)

POLITOLOGUE was a revelation last season winning two Grade Two's and two Grade One's and having bowed out with a 2m4f win this previous C&D winner is now going up in trip this term having primarily raced over 2m last term. He must give weight away throughout with his penalties but Paul Nicholls' stable star just has too much class for these rivals and is expected to win easily. Benatar, a smart C&D Grade Two winning novice is the biggest danger with Charbel the other with some hope of giving the selection a race.