Racecourse Caravan Site Open For Bookings Beginners' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 5m 21.88s

Astute Boy^t⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: R M Smith| OR: 87

125/1

Successful on the Flat, but that was in a maiden handicap back in 2017 and has failed to get his head in front following 15 attempts over hurdles. Probably best watched on chase debut.

Form: 628/35P-

Crow Stone³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Walton| OR: 78

125/1

Merely hinted at ability in a bumper and half-a-dozen starts over hurdles, so a big step forward is required now switched to the larger obstacles.

Form: PP5/098-

First Lord De Cuet^b,t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 136

8/11

Deservedly got his head in front in 21.4f handicap hurdle at Wincanton in February. Well held at the Cheltenham Festival since, but this former point winner looks a big player on chase debut.

Form: 224210-

Getareason^p,t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 131

4/1

Performed well in handicap chases at Sandown and Kempton for Paul Nicholls in November. Fair efforts at best in bumpers/over hurdles for new yard, but merits respect back in this sphere all the same.

Form: 04333U-

Houston Texas¹⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: A C WhillansWS

66/1

Winner at third attempt in Irish points, but has offered little in a couple of runs over hurdles and needs a big step forward now switched to fences. Has undergone wind surgery.

Form: 221PP-

Thegallantway³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 125

9/4

Point/dual hurdles winner who shaped pretty well when third on chase debut Exeter in November. Has failed to build on that since, but should make his presence felt here nonetheless.

Form: 0/13355-

Welsh Reign⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Reed| T: T Reed

66/1

Off the mark at fifth attempt between the flags in December, but offered little on Rules debut/sole start for James Joseph Mangan in a Thurles maiden hurdle earlier this year.

Form: 56/251P-

Forecasts

First Lord De Cuet (8/11), Thegallantway (9/4), Getareason (4/1), Welsh Reign (66/1), Houston Texas (66/1), Astute Boy (125/1), Crow Stone (125/1)

Providing he makes a good shape over fences at the first attempt, FIRST LORD DE CUET will prove a tough nut to crack. He looked better than ever when scoring over hurdles on his penultimate start at Wincanton, and the fact that he was a winner of his sole start between the flags augurs well ahead of this switch to the larger obstacles. Getareason is the clear main danger ahead of Thegallantway.