bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:58 | Winning time: 6m 2.40s

French Dynamite^p,t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Flanagan| T: M F Morris| OR: 149| D

8/1

Smart Irish chaser who ended a lengthy losing run in Grade 3 chase at Punchestown (23.2f) 17 days ago by 2¼ lengths from Minella Indo. This is a very difficult ask, however.

Form: 247021

Bravemansgame²⁰⁵

11/10

Took this in 2022 but he went winless and didn't operate at his best last term, tried in cheekpieces on his final run when only sixth of seven in Bowl Chase at Aintree. Returns after a wind op now and has a good record fresh so he looks the one to beat..

Form: 3/22256-

Conflated^p¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 165| BF| D

7/2

High-class Irish chaser but he unseated his rider at the first in Grade 3 chase at Punchestown (23.2f) 17 days ago. Winless since 2022 but he holds solid form claims.

Form: UU326-U

Hang In There⁶⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Joe Anderson| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 159

10/1

Very smart chaser who scored at Uttoxeter in June and posted a good second of 6 in handicap chase at Worcester (23f) 66 days ago. This demands a clear personal best, though.

Form: 52-2132

Sam Brown^t¹⁸⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 156| D

25/1

Smart veteran chaser who scored twice last season in 3m handicaps at Warwick and Ascot. Signed off with a creditable sixth of 20 in Bet365 at Sandown. Place possibilities, especially if the rains come.

Form: 14512-6

The Real Whacker^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 155| D

5/1

Winner of the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. Came up short at the top level last season and unseated his rider at the 10th in Kerry National at Listowel on his return. No forlorn hope.

Form: P42P-5U

Non-Runners

Grey Dawning²⁰⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Bravemansgame (11/10), Grey Dawning (15/8), Conflated (7/2), The Real Whacker (5/1), French Dynamite (8/1), Hang In There (10/1), Sam Brown (25/1)

BRAVEMANSGAME took this event in 2022 and although he didn't hit the same heights last term he has a good record fresh and looks the one to beat on the back of breathing surgery. Irish challenger Conflated is on a lengthy losing sequence but also has the form to have a say.