Ladbrokes 1965 Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 16.39s

Master Chewy²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 157

18/1

Very smart chaser who was a gutsy winner of the Game Spirit at Newbury in February. Failed to make an impact final 2 starts of last term and while his reappearance second in the Old Roan at Aintree was a creditable effort, he looks vulnerable here.

Form: F3156-2

Pic D'Orhy^t²¹

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

7/2

High-class chaser who has landed the last 2 runnings of this and enhanced his impressive record round here when readily making all in the Betfair Ascot Chase in February. Clear of the rest when runner-up in the Charlie Hall upped to 3m on return at Wetherby and he won't go down without a fight.

Form: 1P/11P-2

Gidleigh Park²³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 155| D

11/4

Winner of 3 of his 4 starts over hurdles and left chase debut well behind when taking the notable scalp of Caldwell Potter in a Grade 2 Windsor novice in January. Built on that when second in an Aintree Grade 1 during the spring (Jango Baie just behind in third) and he remains open to improvement.

Form: 116/P12-

Jango Baie²³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 158| BF| C| DWS

9/4

Smart novice hurdler and quickly made up into a better chaser last term, the highlight being his power-packed finish to land the 2m Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. Solid third back at 2½m in the Manifesto at Aintree when last seen in April (since undergone a wind op) and he's a big player.

Form: 22/1213-

Il Est Francais¹⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: James Reveley| T: T R George| OR: 165| BF

11/4

Bold-jumping front runner who landed the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day 2023. Runner-up in the King George at the same meeting 12 months later and while there were also some low points last term, he will take some stopping if at his best on this first run since rejoining the Tom George yard.

Form: 1P261-3

Forecasts

Jango Baie (9/4), Gidleigh Park (11/4), Il Est Francais (11/4), Pic D'Orhy (7/2), Master Chewy (18/1)

An intriguing renewal of this contest and, with a strong pace likely, JANGO BAIE could be the answer. He wouldn't have won the Arkle had the favourite Majborough not underperformed, but he did remarkably well to emerge on top that day, all things considered, and he backed that up when third at Aintree on his final run of last season. If Il Est Francais brings his A-game he will be a big threat, while Pic d'Orhy must be feared in his bid to win this again and Gidleigh Park also merits respect.