Charlie Poste Beginners' Chase

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 3m 55.10s

Ballymoy²²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 151| D

8/11

Progressive hurdler after wind surgery winning six out of seven starts before ending his season with a poor effort (just about the first black mark on his CV). Best of these over hurdles; an exciting chasing prospect.

Form: 141176-

Commanche Red¹⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 135| D

11/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark over hurdles on his handicap debut doing well to win over a sharp 2m at Wincanton (would be better suited by stiffer tests). Pulled up when last seen (looked amiss); first run since; chasing debut.

Form: 15731P-

Dun Bay Creek^p⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: David Noonan| T: R Brotherton| OR: 81

150/1

Over three years since he scored a novice hurdle win when with Alan King but has failed to complete in four out of his five starts for this yard. Makes his chasing debut facing an almost impossible task.

Form: F/P6-PPP

Equus Amadeus^t¹⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: T Lacey| OR: 132

12/1

The sole runner with any chasing experience but proved a big disappointment on his one try over fences before (jumped poorly). A winner back over hurdles at the end of last year his previous attempt in this sphere leaves misgivings.

Form: 186434-

Nube Negra^t¹⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

5/1

Useful hurdler who failed to win last season although was lightly raced often travelling well but not quite getting the job done. Stable won this last year (in a walkover); should go well but does have something to find on hurdles form with Ballymoy.

Form: 35/8B36-

Thistle Do Nicely¹⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 136| D

4/1

Took his first two hurdling assignments before displaying some improved form in subsequent contests most notably when last seen in a Cheltenham novice (second to a sharp improver). Bred for this sphere; interesting newcomer.

Form: 142202-

Forecasts

Ballymoy (8/11), Thistle Do Nicely (4/1), Nube Negra (5/1), Commanche Red (11/1), Equus Amadeus (12/1), Dun Bay Creek (150/1)

A very strong contest of its type for the time of year and recompense for the track who suffered a walkover with this event last year. BALLYMOY was a peg or two above the rest of the field over hurdles and if he takes to fences (related to at least one smart chaser) then he should have no trouble making a winning debut. On hurdles ratings there wasn’t much to choose between Nube Negra, Commanche Red and Thistle Do Nicely although their remains a suspicion that the first-named of that trio is a little better than the form book shows. Equus Amadeus will need to be more convincing over the bigger obstacles this time after his one ponderous previous effort in this sphere.