Castel Royal Artillery Gold Cup (Chase For Military Amateur Jockeys)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 6m 33.65s

Texard^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-10| J: Sgt Nick Oliver⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 125

11/1

Fairly useful chaser. Off 4 months before below-par seventh of 9 in handicap chase at Leicester (20.1f, good to soft) 15 days ago. Up in trip and should strip fitter now.

Form: 411937

Broken Halo^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-5| J: Bdr Jody Sole⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| D

5/4

Low-mileage 8-y-o who signed off last season by landing novice chase at Fontwell (21.6f). Took a step back in right direction when eighth of 12 in handicap over C&D 12 days ago. Weighted to go close.

Form: 141-768

Red Happy^b,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-5| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 117| D

3/1

Fair hurdler/chaser who wasn't disgraced when fourth of 10 in novice hurdle at Fontwell (21.8f, good to soft) 10 days ago. More is still required back in this sphere.

Form: 8PPPC4

Rolling Dylan^b1⁷⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 12-5| J: Maj Charlie O'Shea⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125| CD

5/1

Unreliable type who was pulled up in handicap chase (12/1) at this C&D 76 days ago. Took this event 12 months ago though so this veteran is no forlorn hope with blinkers on for the 1st time.

Form: P112-4P

Ballycross^p⁴⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Nathan Rahman⁽⁷⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 113| C| D

25/1

Veteran who was still capable of fairly useful form over fences around 3m for Nicky Henderson last season. Well held over hurdles on yard debut at Uttoxeter so more needed now.

Form: 4/3P32-9

Tout Est Permis^p,t³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Brodie Hampson| T: A Watson| OR: 130| D

7/1

Smart Irish chaser in his prime for Noel Meade. Nothing like so good lately and pulled up in Taunton hunter chase on his stable debut last month. Needs a big step forward.

Form: 03P4-0P

Non-Runners

Abaya Du Mathan¹⁸

Weight: 12-5| Age: 11

T: D Pipe J:

Forecasts

Broken Halo (5/4), Red Happy (3/1), Rolling Dylan (5/1), Tout Est Permis (7/1), Texard (11/1), Ballycross (25/1), Abaya Du Mathan (50/1)

BROKEN HALO hinted at a revival when eighth over C&D last time and is favoured by these weights so gets the vote. Last year's victor Rolling Dylan could emerge as the biggest threat if the fitting of blinkers has the desired effect while Texard appeals as the pick of the David Pipe-trained trio and can claim minor honours.