starsportsbet.co.uk Beginners' Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 14.5s

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Selected odds by:

Chief Bottlewasher²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: A Sadik| OR: 90

200/1

Only win came when gifted a race when sole rival fell at Fontwell. Tailed off on all starts since for new trainer and does not look anywhere near good enough.

Form: 67/1097-

Edward Elgar^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 102

40/1

Plating class hurdler makes his chasing bow. Yard are 0-31 here over the past five seasons. Doubtful he has the scope for chasing.

Form: 5P1325-

Lofgren^t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117

13/2

Once ran Petit Mouchoir to 3L over hurdles in Ireland where he subsequently won two races on good ground. Has faced some stiff tasks over hurdles and fences since joining new yard. Another stringent test awaits but he does have valuable chasing experience.

Form: 28575-2

Midnight Shot¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon

7/4

Improved last season to win a couple of hurdles on top good ground. Form suffered along with many from the stable. The yard's struggles continue and he was pulled up three weeks ago.

Form: 21102P-

Rock Me Zippo¹¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

50/1

Tailed off in two starts back from a two year break and went on to unship his rider last time. Hard to fancy at this level.

Form: P246/9U-

Sam Red^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139

5/6

Would be the clear pick on hurdling form but his best efforts have come with some give underfoot. Has had one run over fences in Ireland when the trip would have been inadequate. Yard are 2-5 with their chasers here.

Form: 492426-

Forecasts

Sam Red (5/6), Midnight Shot (7/4), Lofgren (13/2), Edward Elgar (40/1), Rock Me Zippo (50/1), Chief Bottlewasher (200/1)

This is a potentially trappy contest with the three main protagonists closely matched. Lofgren is the more experienced chaser and conditions look ideal. His overall form does leave him vulnerable should either Midnight Shot or SAM RED take to the bigger obstacles. There are no ground concerns for Charlie Longsdon's gelding although his wellbeing is a doubt having pulled up last time and with the stable finding winners hard to come by. SAM RED is the pick of the three on hurdling form which has been gained on slower ground than this. The stable are going well and the six-year-old will appreciate the stiff track. The Skeltons would not risk him if they felt the ground may be an issue and he merits the pick.