Visit attheraces.com Beginners' Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 41.30s

Darlac²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 134| C

6/5

Scored over hurdles at Fontwell (2m3f) last October. He was outclassed in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last March but he had a smart novice hurdles campaign. First start over fences here where he can't be ignored.

Form: 14277P-

Neachells Bridge²⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 126| BF

7/1

Broke his maiden over hurdles at Hereford (2m3½f) last November and then finished second of 14 at Wetherby (2m5½f) on his next appearance when going off as the 9/2 favourite. Best to watch on opening chase start.

Form: 453/512-

Tommy Rapper^t¹⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

11/10

Has had two attempts over fences so far where he has produced modest performances. He finished last season with a second place finish in a Grade 3 hurdles contest over 3m½ at Aintree. Good chance to break his maiden over fences here.

Form: 19/3442-

Forecasts

Tommy Rapper (11/10), Darlac (6/5), Neachells Bridge (7/1)

TOMMY RAPPER is the only one of these with experience over fences and that could count for a lot here. He ended his last campaign by finishing second in a Group 3 contest at Aintree over hurdles which is good form. Take him to win this small field. contest. Darlac was a smart hurdler and if he can transfer some of those performances to chasing from the off, he won't be far away, while Neachells Bridge may have to bring up the rear on his first look at fences.