Alan Bolt Memorial Beginners' Chase

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 4m 10.5s

Black Art⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 115| DWS

14/1

First run back from a wind op having been successful in two handicap hurdles at Sedgefield early last year. Neither of his two chasing exploits so far would raise much enthusiasm but may do better now on the back his surgery.

Form: 2115/5P-

Carntop^t²³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: Jamie Snowden| BF

5/2

Useful Flat performer before turning his hand to obstacles winning two weak events easily at Worcester last summer before his jumping technique failed him badly in two subsequent starts. Chasing debut and a waiting game to see how he handles fences.

Form: 9/21134-

Sonic²¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| BF

5/2

Showed some promise in Irish PTP's; dual hurdles winner although he has on occasions had fluency issues over timber (disappointed on his handicap debut last start). Returns from an absence to make his chasing debut; like to lead (faces competition).

Form: F21214-

Sussex Road⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: A Sadik| OR: 44

125/1

Career-record reads 0-51 with 43 of those defeats coming over fences in varied company. Would surely need a miracle or major mishaps to occur to his four rivals to take a hand at the finish; 0-10 around here.

Form: 22544-P

Tonto's Spirit^h⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 130| CD

1/1

Successful over hurdles around here at this time last year in a handicap (travelled well). Shaped well on his chasing debut but found it tough going in a handicap last time (unable to dominate); this looks a more suitable test.

Form: 42/1325-

Forecasts

Tonto's Spirit (1/1), Sonic (5/2), Carntop (5/2), Black Art (14/1), Sussex Road (125/1)

Quite a complex little heat to sort out but TONTO’S SPIRIT is taken to get his chasing career back on track around a course that should suit although he may face some pace pressure from Sonic. Don McCain’s charge is making his chasing debut though and that may mean that less positive tactics than usual are used. Carntop would be the equal of these over hurdles but his jumping travails in that sphere mean that he’s best watched for now. Black Art has experience over fences albeit he was disappointing but a wind op may allow him to show his true worth in this sphere.