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

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 5m 56.81s

Djelo²¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 162

11/4

Took form to new heights last season, proving too strong for Protektorat in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon and also successful in the Denman Chase at Newbury upped to nearly 3m at in February. Struggled in Grade 1s at the big spring festivals, though, and he could prove vulnerable here, too.

Form: 212176-

Pic D'Orhy^t¹⁸⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 162

5/1

High-class chaser who enhanced fine strike rate when winning the Grade 2 1965 Chase and Grade 1 Ascot Chase (both over 21f) on first 2 starts of last term. Failed to recover from a bad early mistake at Sandown on latest start during the spring and will have a serious chance if seeing this trip out.

Form: 21P/11P-

The Real Whacker^p1,t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 156| CD

9/2

Useful hurdles form in 2022 and has developed into a very smart chaser, looking better than ever when making all in this race 12 months ago. Came up short in Grade 1s thereafter, but should be spot-on for a repeat bid here on the back of a decent effort over hurdles in September. New headgear.

Form: U1454-2

Ga Law^p¹⁸⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 155

13/2

Good start to last season, runner-up in a Chepstow handicap chase and the Paddy Power at Cheltenham during the autumn. Back on track with blinkers replacing cheekpieces when third at Sandown on latest outing in April, but old headgear refitted here and he looks vulnerable on return.

Form: 295PP3-

Hewick^b¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 158| D

2/1

High-class chaser who was a fine second in a Down Royal Grade 1 on his second appearance of last season. Patchy form since, but looked on good terms with himself when landing the odds in a small-field minor event over hurdles at Thurles (22.7f, good to soft) recently and he's greatly respected.

Form: 5718-71

Non-Runners

Protektorat²¹¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 10

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Hewick (2/1), Protektorat (9/4), Djelo (11/4), The Real Whacker (9/2), Pic D'Orhy (5/1), Ga Law (13/2)

The one who appeals most is PROTEKTORAT, who was unsuccessful when bidding to defend his Ryanair Chase crown during the spring, but he followed that with a solid effort in defeat at Aintree and the 10-y-o is likely to benefit from this step back up in trip. Hewick warmed up for this assignment with a hurdles success at Thurles and he is next on the list ahead of Pic d'Orhy, who will be a danger to all if his stamina passes the test. Last year's winner The Real Whacker also merits respect.