C & G Cladding/Solar Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:48 | Winning time: 5m 15.70s

The Flier Begley²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 122| CD

11/4

Fairly useful chase winner for Stuart Crawford in Ireland and returned to his best for current yard last month, scoring at this C&D before following up at Carlisle (20f, good to soft). Can make a bold bid for the hat-trick.

Form: 406311

Opening Bid^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: H Cobden| T: C J Down| OR: 121| C

12/1

Won 5 times in 2023/24 and, making second start in cheekpieces, returned to winning ways at Exeter (19.2f, good) in October. However, failed to repeat that effort when well held at Chepstow 22 days ago. Bounce back called for.

Form: P53519

Ballycamus⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120| BF| CD

7/2

Made a successful debut over fences at Chepstow last December and added to his tally at this C&D the following month. Runner-up all 3 remaining starts last season, so no surprise to see him bounce back after below-par effort at Stratford on return.

Form: 41222-5

Pearly Island^p²⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 112| D

9/1

Dual hurdles scorer who opened chase account at Huntingdon (19.8f) in March. Below best next time but quickly returned to form when runner-up back at that venue on final start in April. Capable of getting involved if ready to go after 6 months off.

Form: 532132-

Decorated^t²¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Signy| OR: 108| D

11/4

Won twice over hurdles last season and, following a breathing operation, hinted at a revival in first-time cheekpieces when fourth at Exeter (23.1f, heavy) in February. Went the wrong way next 2 starts, though, and off 7 months ahead of chase debut.

Form: P2P445-

Heard That^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 102

9/2

Placed on second of 2 starts in points and fair form over hurdles last season, runner-up on 2 of his last 3 outings. However, after 7 months off (had breathing operation) he lost his action when pulled up at Ffos Las on chase debut 10 days ago.

Form: 64242-P

Non-Runners

De Tellers Fortune¹⁸⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

De Tellers Fortune (13/8), Decorated (11/4), The Flier Begley (11/4), Ballycamus (7/2), Heard That (9/2), Pearly Island (9/1), Opening Bid (12/1)

With Jack Hogan in the saddle, THE FLIER BEGLEY has proved strong at the finish when winning his last 2 starts, successful over C&D on the first occasion, and he can go on to land the hat-trick in his current form. Ballycamus could be the main danger.