Racing Only Bettor Betfair Podcast Graduation Chase

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 43.8s

Activial⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 148| CD

7/1

Very easy winner of this last year, and excellent second to the top-class Kildisart on next start at Ascot, form that gives him every chance despite the big weight here; drying ground would help too, and he has chances of the repeat.

Form: 12660-3

Keeper Hill²³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 146WS

18/1

Winner of two of his six chases but jumping has let him down at times; kept to hurdles last season, results mixed but he's a quality sort when on song, but possible he will need this after absence since April, and on balance, others preferred.

Form: 521003-

Jarveys Plate⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 149

7/4

Listed winner over hurdles last January and translated that ability over fences to score on debut in this sphere at Chepstow, despite the odd mistake; that form franked since, has potential to improve again, and has to be taken seriously here.

Form: 32139-1

Midnight Shadow¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 155

15/8

Winner of the Relkeel Hurdle last season before taking on too much in the Stayers Hurdle; loads of scope for fences and probably an unlucky loser at Carlisle last time, in front and going well when falling late; can put that right today.

Form: 0110-3F

The Hollow Ginge^p1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 142| C| D

7/2

Doing little wrong over fences at present, winner of a novice event at Worcester and then even better when beaten a head at Aintree last time' tough task at the weights with a few of these but will no doubt give it a go.

Form: 2419-12

Forecasts

Jarveys Plate (7/4), Midnight Shadow (15/8), The Hollow Ginge (7/2), Activial (7/1), Keeper Hill (18/1)

MIDNIGHT SHADOW was still tanking along when he came down at Carlisle and although it was still some way out, you'd have to think he would have gone close had he stayed on his feet. He can gain compensation for that unlucky tumble at the expense of last year's winner Activial and Jarvey's Plate, who made a good impression at Chepstow and will look to build on that here. Keeper Hill will be a threat if his sometimes suspect jumping holds up.