Dan Kelly Drivetime On Signal 1 Beginners' Chase

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 5m 21.00s

Django Django¹⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131

5/2

Three-time winner over hurdles and took form to new high when winning valuable handicap at Haydock last April. Bred to jump a fence and joint second highest rated of these over hurdles so must be respected.

Form: 09/5171-

Erick Le Rouge²⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 137| D

3/1

Won first four starts for this yard over hurdles in highly progressive campaign before finally coming unstuck (pulled up) at the Cheltenham Festival. Highest rated of these over hurdles and therefore the one to beat if jumping fluently.

Form: 2/1111P-

Not That Fuisse²⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| C

7/2

½L fourth to Erick Le Rouge penultimately and gave that rival 2lb there in a Kempton handicap hurdle. Fell at the last in last hurdle race at Cheltenham which is a worry now jumping bigger obstacles but certainly not ruled out.

Form: 26214F-

On The Slopes¹⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 128| BF

5/1

Point-to-point background hopefully bodes well now over fences although he didn't win one and although he won once over hurdles he was inferior to most of these so must improve for the bigger obstacles now.

Form: 212403-

Rocco²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128

7/1

Point-to-point winner won once over hurdles but was tailed off behind Erick Le Rouge at Kempton in his final start. Better than that effort but still a tall order although fences may be the making of him.

Form: 145350-

Virginia Chick²⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 114

14/1

Steadily progressive over hurdles over the last year and took his form to new levels when successful in a Class 2 event at Chepstow in December. Flopped at Sandown subsequently but hopefully back on song now after the break.

Form: 121/410-

Forecasts

Django Django (5/2), Erick Le Rouge (3/1), Not That Fuisse (7/2), On The Slopes (5/1), Rocco (7/1), Virginia Chick (14/1)

None of the six runners here are completely ruled out with all making their debuts over fences but preference is for ERICK LE ROUGE who had a fine campaign over hurdles last season and his pedigree suggests he can kick on further now over fences. Django Django looks the sort to improve for fences too and he is chief among the dangers although Not That Fuisse was very closely matched with the selection over hurdles so also meritorious of respect.