Charlotte Cole Memorial Beginners' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:06 | Winning time: 5m 9.10s

Black Kalanisi²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: J Tuite| OR: 127

50/1

Bumper/hurdles winner and also successful on the Flat last year. Shaped quite encouragingly prior to unseating 3 out on chase debut at Uttoxeter (2½m, good to soft) and he's open to improvement.

Form: 2112/5-U

Earth Moor²³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135| D

9/1

Winner of 4 of his 9 career starts, most recently a Wincanton handicap hurdle (21.4f, heavy) in March. More needed now switched to fences, but he's in good hands and may well have more to offer.

Form: 11/1201-

Firak^t1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 124

8/1

Point winner who shaped well in a maiden hurdle on Rules debut last term. However, hasn't gone on as hoped since and while he looks a chasing type, this is a tough starting point. Tongue strap added.

Form: 1/4322-3

Happygolucky²³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 139| C

6/4

Made up into a useful novice hurdler last term, acquitting himself well in good company following maiden hurdle success here. Looks a chaser in the making and should have a part to play in the finish.

Form: 2/1334-

Harry Senior²³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 143

9/4

Likeable sort who improved when landing a Grade 2 novices' hurdle at Cheltenham in January. Best to draw a line through effort at the Festival in March and appeals as the type to excel in this sphere.

Form: 42211P-

Paint The Dream^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137

11/1

Appeared to excel himself when runner-up in the Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. However, not so good in 3 subsequent starts and there's an air of vulnerability about him.

Form: U2250-2

Thomas Macdonagh^t²³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 136

9/1

Won 3 times on the bounce over hurdles last season, but limitations seemingly exposed on final 2 starts of that campaign and improvement needed now tackling the larger obstacles.

Form: 411150-

Forecasts

Happygolucky (6/4), Harry Senior (9/4), Firak (8/1), Thomas Macdonagh (9/1), Earth Moor (9/1), Paint The Dream (11/1), Black Kalanisi (50/1)

HAPPYGOLUCKY and Harry Senior wasted little time in establishing themselves as useful novice hurdlers last season, and they both possess the scope to make up into even better chasers. Marginal preference is for Happygolucky, who produced a fine effort for one so inexperienced when fourth in the Martin Pipe at the Festival in March. Earth Moor also enters calculations in this fascinating contest.