Gerard Bertrand Hurst Park Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 13.67s

Sky Pirate^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 159

5/1

Vastly improved dropped to 2m last term, landing Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham, and returned with encouraging second to Before Midnight in 2m handicap there. Player with that run under his belt.

Form: 51121-2

Dolos^t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154| C

16/1

Very smart chaser at his best but his form tailed off towards the end of last season and he beat only one in Chepstow handicap on his reappearance. Course winner yet others are preferred.

Form: 44267-8

Amoola Gold^p1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 150| CD

17/2

Back from 8 months off with second C&D win in 10-runner handicap chase 21 days ago, overhauling Monsieur Lecoq late on, Up 4 lb but not taken lightly in first-time cheekpieces for in-form yard.

Form: 11228-1

Diego Du Charmil^t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| CD

11/1

C&D winner but only ninth on back of a wind op in 2m Ffos Las handicap hurdle last month. Has fair bit to prove on his first chase start since 2019.

Form: 33518-9

Sully D'Oc Aa^p,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 145| C| D

9/2

Bagged 2m Punchestown handicap in first-time cheekpieces in spring but well held off 10 lb higher mark on his return in C&D handicap won by Amoola Gold. Eased 2 lb but he still needs to step forward.

Form: 13821-5

Before Midnight²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 144| D

11/4

Showed himself to be still on the up over fences with reappearance win in 2m handicap chase at Cheltenham by 6l from Sky Pirate. Hiked up 8 lb now but he remains well in the mix.

Form: 23211-1

Monsieur Lecoq^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 135

7/2

Smart hurdler who has made a solid start over fences and posted good head second to Amoola Gold in C&D handicap 21 days ago. Can make his presence felt once more despite 3 lb rise.

Form: 212-202

Forecasts

Before Midnight (11/4), Monsieur Lecoq (7/2), Sully D'Oc Aa (9/2), Sky Pirate (5/1), Amoola Gold (17/2), Diego Du Charmil (11/1), Dolos (16/1)

Grand Annual Chase victor SKY PIRATE is fancied to strip fitter for his comeback second to Before Midnight at Cheltenham and also enjoys an 8 lb pull in the weights with that rival so can turn the tables on Sam Thomas' progressive sort. Amoola Gold and Monsieur Lecoq also needs considering in a tightly-knit handicap.