Virgin Bet Price Boosts Many Clouds Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 6m 39.6s

Black Corton^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 163

5/1

Useful jumper who won a Grade 2 at Sandown in April. Has run well in defeat on each of his last two starts and may come on for his reappearance run at Ascot last time when third of 16 in a competitive heat; interesting if he builds on that.

Form: 2221-23

Might Bite^p1²⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 167| CD

7/4

C&D Grade 1 winner and runner-up in 2018's Gold Cup behind Native River. Pulled up as if amiss in this year's renewal of that race and makes his first start since; fascinating contender if fully fit on return; particularly in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 121/57P-

Native River^b1²⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 167| CD

5/6

2018's Gold Cup winner (Might Bite second) and while he hasn't won since that success, he's largely run well in defeat since including when fourth of 16 in 2019's Gold Cup. More rain the better and another obvious player in first-time blinkers.

Form: 311/234-

Outlander²⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: R Spencer| OR: 152

40/1

A three-time Grade 1 winner but hasn't won since 2017 and all his best form has come in Ireland. Posted a respectable effort in the Grand National this year but he's not the most reliable. Starts out for new yard.

Form: 235449-

Forecasts

Native River (5/6), Might Bite (7/4), Black Corton (5/1), Outlander (40/1)

A fascinating renewal despite the small field and given that there was rain in the area on Friday, it might be worth siding with 2018's Gold Cup winner NATIVE RIVER. He didn't really get his conditions last season but there's no sign he's lost any of his ability and he could be the one to beat. Black Corton has race fitness on his side but it will be a tough ask to give weight away to both the selection and Might Bite who could improve for the fitting of first-time cheekpieces.