Severn Financial Training Ltd Beginners' Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 26.2s

Cotswold Way²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 138| D

7/1

In terrific form over hurdles last season winning four times and looking as though he had the scope to take to fences. Produced an underwhelming debut over fences (may have needed the run), entitled to progress given his hurdles form.

Form: 11814-6

First Assignment³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 141| BF

7/2

Very useful over hurdles last year and into this year although not quite hitting the heights he did in 2018. Well backed in testing conditions for his Cheltenham chasing debut he shaped as though he would be better for the run; more to come.

Form: 13394-4

Hold The Note^p1²⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: M R Channon| BF

13/8

After a successful bumper debut in testing conditions his form has shown an upward trend every time, he's come to race just failing to defy a penalty when last seen. Undoubtedly has the scope for fences; cheekpieces on for his debut, good prospect.

Form: 14312-

Kingofthecotswolds³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128| C

7/1

Began his chasing career in taking fashion with a third over 2m here and it would be a surprise if he couldn't build on that particularly over this extra 4f. Work to do on hurdles ratings with a couple but hard to rule out given his debut promise.

Form: 2124-93

Mr Mcguiness⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 110| D

100/1

Yet to match his hurdles form over fences and looks far from comfortable over the larger obstacles. Ran no sort of race when last seen at Worcester (let down by his jumping); easily passed over given the quality of the opposition.

Form: 246U7-6

Western Ryder²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: W Greatrex| OR: 140

3/1

Dual winning novice hurdler who was highly-tried at times over timber who failed to meet market expectations on his chasing debut at Sedgefield. Better last time at Uttoxeter but still far from convincing, promised more than he delivered once again.

Form: 3330-33

Forecasts

Hold The Note (13/8), Western Ryder (3/1), First Assignment (7/2), Cotswold Way (7/1), Kingofthecotswolds (7/1), Mr Mcguiness (100/1)

Some useful types over hurdles face one another in this beginners’ chase where it’s hard to ignore five of the six runners. First Assignment was the highest rated of these over hurdles and his debut over fences would be hard to find fault with, there should be more to come from him. Cotswold Way and Western Ryder both need to show more than they have so far to make an impression over fences although the former has less of a question mark against him than the latter. Hold The Note could well improve for fences but he might just need this and KINGOFTHECOTSWOLDS could well enjoy this step up in trip and put his debut experience to good use having finished a good third here over 2m last time.