Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber Of Commerce Beginners' Chase

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 1.40s

Francky Du Berlais^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 122| CD

9/2

One of the few with chasing experience although this dual hurdles winner isn't really progressing in this sphere. Runner-up on his chase debut his two subsequent starts haven't been at the same level; looks vulnerable to a newcomer.

Form: 54-2243

Majestic Touch^h¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122| BF

9/2

Comeback run over hurdles was low-key but he found something like his previous winning form when chasing home Sizing Granite (subsequent winner) at Newton Abbot. Now switched to fences and merits respect on his hurdling achievements.

Form: 4623-52

Mellow Ben³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: C Gordon| OR: 125

13/2

Looked a little more at home over fences second time around than he did on his debut when taking second without threatening the winner at Newton Abbot (2m5f). Better ground will suit but needs to take another stride forward to get involved.

Form: 272-382

Seven De Baune⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 137

7/2

His level of form over hurdles makes him one of the leading players, having won a Ludlow novice hurdle and finished a decent second in a French minor event when last seen. Looks the sort to make a chaser and should go close if taking to fences.

Form: 2/1617-2

Whatthebutlersaw²⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: M D Grant| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 129

16/1

Four-time hurdles winner who hasn't been seen since producing a poor effort on Boxing Day (pulled-up). Overall record suggests that he's the sort who can go well when he's fresh; market may well provide a useful guide to what's expected.

Form: 1/2102P-

Really Super²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| CD

2/1

Impressive form over hurdles here (2111) winning as she liked over 2m4f last time by 14L, connections now choose to send her chasing having seen her rating rise to 130. Conditions should be ideal, must go close if she takes to the larger obstacles.

Form: 110-321

Forecasts

Really Super (2/1), Seven De Baune (7/2), Majestic Touch (9/2), Francky Du Berlais (9/2), Mellow Ben (13/2), Whatthebutlersaw (16/1)

Those with chasing experience look to have a tough task here against four newcomers all of whom have shaped well in their hurdling exploits. REALLY SUPER, a three-time winner at this venue and her latest win where she demolished the opposition is just about the best piece of form on offer, a repeat of that will see her successful on her chasing debut. It won’t be easy though as both Seven De Baune who could find this sphere much more to his liking and Majestic Touch have both given encouraging performances over hurdles of late. Whatthebutlersaw is on something of a recovery mission having not been seen for a while but is hard to rule out on the best of his efforts over the smaller obstacles.