Virgin Bet Future Stars Intermediate Chase (Listed)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 30.1s

Santini²⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 163| D

1/3

Top-notch novice chaser last year when placed in Kauto Star and RSA Chases. Will progress again, and test of stamina at this trip is right up his street. Hard to beat.

Form: 131/132-

Talkischeap¹⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 157| C| D

9/2

Bit disappointing given strong support when only fifth on handicap debut in Grade 3 event at Kempton in February, but made amends when landing Bet365 Gold Cup here in April. Should ensure favourite has to work, at least a little.

Form: 321251-

Now Mcginty^p²⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: S Edmunds| OR: 144| D

12/1

Gained first chase win at Chepstow in January, and second in Reyholdstown at Ascot, but well behind Santini in the RSA, and has work to do, even with a 6lb swing in the weights.

Form: 2U2128-

Steely Addition²²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 150| D

16/1

Won two from four over fences last season, including a novice handicap at Chespstow (3m, heavy) last December. Will win more races, but faces a difficult task on seasonal return.

Form: 18/3141-

Forecasts

Santini (1/3), Talkischeap (9/2), Now Mcginty (12/1), Steely Addition (16/1)

SANTINI should find underfoot conditions bringing his stamina into play, and he shpuld have too many guns for Bet365 Gold Cup hero Talkischeap. Now McGinty and Steely Addition are both very useful in the mud, but are probably playing for place only in this line-up.