Royal Lancers Beginners' Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 5.8s

Boite⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 138| D

5/4

Ex-Flat performer, won three times over hurdles and achieved a peak rating of 149 in that sphere. Goes chasing first time and has been rather lacklustre in four starts this term, albeit latest two in graded company.

Form: 05-5757

Hatcher^p¹⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David England| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

8/11

Frontrunning four-time winner over timber last summer in modest company, before well beaten in Listed contest at Market Rasen (2m½f, good) in September. First chase start, bit to find on hurdles ratings but goes well fresh.

Form: 211119

Mon Garcon Frankie^p1⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan King⁽⁷⁾| T: S Flook

25/1

A 1175-day gap between bumper run and hurdles bow tells a tale, he was sent off 250-1 at Bangor in January over 2m7f (good to soft) and duly tailed off. Makes no appeal on chase bow, with cheekpieces added.

Form: P/PP3-45

Forecasts

Hatcher (8/11), Boite (5/4), Mon Garcon Frankie (25/1)

This appears a match between Boite and HATCHER. The former achieved a higher rating over timber but has been struggling (in good races) for a while now. The switch to fences needs to bring him to life again. Dan Skelton's runner on the other hand was progressive last summer over hurdles in achieving a four-timer. He came up short in Listed class in the autumn but goes well fresh and could be hard to peg back here if taking to this discipline. Mon Garcon Frankie is surely relying on ill-fate befalling his rivals.