Central Roofing Beginners' Chase

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 7m 14.20s

Aaron Lad³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 137

7/4

Useful handicap hurdler (won twice in handicaps last year); pulled up on chasing debut at Cheltenham when given a stiff test against some smart opposition (started 40-1). May find these calmer waters more acceptable for his second chasing attempt.

Form: 61106-P

El Scorpio³⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: L Treadwell| T: J Groucott| OR: 86

33/1

Modest maiden hurdler who has been well beaten in handicaps of late looking still in need of some help with his mark. Now tries fences for the first time and runs into a couple who are rated 50lb plus better over hurdles; hard to commit to.

Form: 49/5366-

Encounter A Giant¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Alex Edwards⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph

5/2

Three for seven in point-to-points and unlucky not to cause a huge upset on his Rules debut at Huntingdon when a 25-1 shot. Looked very much at home against some useful rivals until unseating two out; big chance if reproducing that effort.

Form: 1U12/1-U

Supremely Lucky²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| BF

11/8

Bumper/hurdles winner who progressed nicely over the smaller obstacles. Showed even better form switched to fences taking second on his debut at Worcester before looking amiss in a match at Hexham last time; needs to bounce back from that display.

Form: 4421-22

Midnight Calamity¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: W G M Turner

66/1

Win in point-to-points came when she finished alone in a match race (April 2018). Well beaten in her only start under Rules in a mares' maiden hurdle at Warwick recently; went with little promise and generally struggled; limited appeal.

Form: 61/2-0

Forecasts

Supremely Lucky (11/8), Aaron Lad (7/4), Encounter A Giant (5/2), El Scorpio (33/1), Midnight Calamity (66/1)

Not the most enticing of event with two of the three that could win this not actually finishing last time and the other one of the trio being well beaten after looking amiss in the race. AARON LAD to be fair was given a very stiff task on his chasing debut at Cheltenham and he’s proved that he has ability over hurdles so these calmer waters should enable him to produce a better display. Encounter A Giant was running a superb race last time until unshipping his rider two out having looked to come second at worst, a repeat of that effort will see him go close. Supremely Lucky was reported to have suffered an overreach when well beaten at Hexham a return to his Worcester form is required.