Durdar Graduation Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 12.11s

Esprit Du Large⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: Evan Williams| OR: 154| D

10/11

Made into smart chaser last term, landing Sandown 2m Grade 1, and still going well when falling 5 out on return in Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup. This much easier and good jumper overall so leading claims.

Form: 0/211F-F

Dali Mail^t²⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Callum Bewley| T: D W Whillans| OR: 135| D

40/1

Made a successful start over fences in 2m Newcastle novice but fell next time and again let down by his jumping when only sixth of 8 in Kelso novice handicap final run. Has bit to prove on return now.

Form: 22/31F6-

Ain't My Fault^p,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121| D

16/1

Consistent sort who finally opened his account over fences in 2m Hexham novice handicap 15 days ago. This represents a big step up though so others appeal more.

Form: 23-2P31

Kiltealy Briggs^t²⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 136

10/3

Useful winning hurdler around 20f last term but pulled up in Albert Bartlett Hurdle final run. Sort to do well over fences this term so shouldn't be underestimated, even though 2m is on sharp side.

Form: 22131P-

Ming Dynasty^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 133| D

33/1

Useful ex-Irish hurdler who has yet to match that form in three runs over fences, tongue strap back on when third in Sedgefield maiden chase last month. Faces no easy task on yard debut.

Form: 09-05F3

Whoshotthesheriff²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 135| C| D

3/1

Useful winning hurdler who (10/1) made a promising start over fences when second of 11 in C&D handicap on return. Sure to build on that so well worth considering here.

Form: F2504-2

Forecasts

Esprit Du Large (10/11), Whoshotthesheriff (3/1), Kiltealy Briggs (10/3), Ain't My Fault (16/1), Ming Dynasty (33/1), Dali Mail (40/1)

ESPRIT DU LARGE looks to have been found an excellent opportunity to get back on track and this Grade 1-winning novice is strongly fancied to successfully concede weight all round. Whoshotthesheriff rates the chief threat on the back of his encouraging C&D second, although Kiltealy Briggs has always appealed as the sort to do well over fences so shouldn't be underestimated on his chasing bow.