Alfa Aggregate Products Beginners' Chase

Off time: 12:56 | Winning time: 5m 0.10s

Chameron⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145

5/4

Dual French hurdles winner (both on soft ground) who was held back by errors on his GB/stable/chase debut at the end of last year in a race that became a match. Returned from a wind op only to fall at Chepstow (plugging on at the time).

Form: 11/2-F

Equus Secretus³¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 135| D

9/2

Point-to- point winner on only start in that sphere and won his first two starts over hurdles (beat Piton Pete ½ L on first occasion); well beaten subsequent two hurdles starts. Back from a break but capable of going close in this.

Form: 1/1136-

Piton Pete²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Shoemark| T: O Sherwood| OR: 130

4/1

Showed consistent form all last season over hurdles (2331120) consistently finding for pressure and only outclassed on his handicap debut. Given a very stiff task on chasing debut but shaped with some promise; has a little to do on hurdles ratings.

Form: 31120-5

Psychedelic Rock^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 137| D

11/4

Won three times over hurdles so far (can look a little quirky) and showed an aptitude for chasing over C&D last month although he was flattered by his proximity to the winner. Jumped well; entitled to do better but best form has come on good ground.

Form: 6-24142

Non-Runners

Scartare¹⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: Mrs R Gasson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Chameron (5/4), Psychedelic Rock (11/4), Piton Pete (4/1), Equus Secretus (9/2), Scartare (100/1)

An interesting small-field beginners chase where all the runners bar one have had a try over fences so far but the quartet do have a little to prove. EQUUS SECRETUS is the one who hasn’t been seen over fences yet but he did win his only point-to-point start and his hurdling form last year measures up well in the context of the race. Chameron hasn’t so far fulfilled his potential over fences although there is time and he’s in excellent hands. Piton Pete shaped well enough in a strong race on debut that he had little chance in and he should come on for that as should Psychedelic Rock from his C&D run here although the rain probably needs to stay away for this one.