Charlotte Cole Memorial Beginners' Chase

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 23.20s

Black Op^t¹⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 147| DWS

5/2

Fairly solid 152-rated hurdler ran well in defeat in a couple of chase starts at Exeter and when beaten 7¼L behind Lostintranslation in the Grade 2 Dipper Novices in January. First start since a wind operation.

Form: 1/33304-

Down The Highway²⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 132| BF

7/1

133-rated handicap hurdler. Sole career win came in a Lingfield novice hurdle on heavy ground in November last year. Possibly best watched on chasing debut unless the market suggests otherwise.

Form: 1/1P48-

Lisnagar Oscar²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 141| BF

4/5

Grade Two winning novice hurdler who subsequently finished fifth at Cheltenham and third at Aintree in Grade One races. Ran Ardlethen to a neck on pleasing debut over fences at Chepstow earlier this month. Another bold show likely.

Form: 21153-2

Mr Antolini²³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 139

12/1

140-rated hurdler, possibly found Grade 3 contests at Ascot and Sandown a little tough last season. Interesting on chasing debut for a yard who boast a strong record round here in October/November in the last three years with a 33% strike rate.

Form: 2/525P0-

Mr Caffrey^p⁴¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 123| C

33/1

Solid and consistent 115-rated handicap hurdler at his level. Best watched on debut over the larger obstacles. Stable have a 44% win and place strike rate at this track in the last five years.

Form: 1/22211-

Forecasts

Lisnagar Oscar (4/5), Black Op (5/2), Down The Highway (7/1), Mr Antolini (12/1), Mr Caffrey (33/1)

The Rebecca Curtis-trained LISNAGAR OSCAR can improve on his impressive debut over the larger obstacles at Chepstow, going down by a neck over 2m7½f earlier this month. The Oscar gelding was a 143-rated hurdler last season and can hold off the attentions of his biggest pursuers in the shape of Black Op, on return to fences and chasing debutante Down The Highway for trainer Emma Lavelle.