F Ball Stick With It Chasing Excellence Beginners' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:51 | Winning time: 3m 55.89s

Country Mile^h1,t1³⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| BF| D

4/11

Dual novice hurdle winner who made a promising start over fences when second to Alnilam in this race a year ago. Unable to build on that later in the month at Cheltenham and off since but he's in expert hands and retains plenty of potential (hood and tongue tie on).

Form: 1215/23-

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O'Moore Park¹⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 137

15/2

Plenty of at least respectable handicap efforts to his name, including when sixth in the Plate at Cheltenham and seventh in the Topham at Aintree during the spring. Made mistakes when well held in the Killarney National and has since left Willie Mullins. Drops markedly in trip on return.

Form: 05067-9

The Gray Ghost^t¹⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Price| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 120

7/2

Doubled hurdles tally at Newcastle in February and shaped as though in good form when hitting the frame both starts during the spring. Has the size for chasing so no surprise were he to up his game.

Form: 544144-

Forecasts

Country Mile (4/11), The Gray Ghost (7/2), O'Moore Park (15/2)

COUNTRY MILE has yet to have a clear shot at racing but he's looked pretty talented on occasions and with his year-long absence no real concern given the yard he represents, he can get off the mark over fences. This trip is surely on the sharp side for O'Moore Park so chase debutant The Gray Ghost may chase the selection home.