Rijo42 Beginners' Chase

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 8.5s

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Selected odds by:

Ennistown^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 135| C

7/4

Has won 4-16 over hurdles and looked more than useful in that discipline. Still learning his trade over fences, but has run with credit on both starts and looks a strong contender.

Form: 25312-4

Francky Du Berlais^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 123

3/1

Dual novice hurdle winner at up to 2m4f, and not beaten far from a mark of 123 in a handicap when last seen at Huntingdon (3m1f, good). Dam won over fences, so may be able to kick on for this switch. Needs improvement, but can't rule him out.

Form: 22154-2

Just Minded⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: James Moffatt| OR: 115

33/1

Won a bumper (good) and novice hurdle (soft) for Sue Smith. Couldn't add to that for Olly Murphy, whom he left for £2,000 since his last run. Second from a mark of 117 in a handicap chase in January, so needs improvement in this field.

Form: 42/424P-

Sonic³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124

3/1

Dual 2m4f hurdle winner on good/fast ground last year. Returned from a break and was keen enough when 6L second here over 2m1f (good) on chase debut last month. Should be capable of better and if he can improve here he would be a player.

Form: 21214-2

Squouateur^p³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 130

5/1

Seems to have been a perennial Cheltenham Festival gamble in recent years but has not won since 2016. Having said that, his best chase form would give him a chance here, but he needs to be better than at Southwell last time.

Form: P0FP-23

Tokaramore^h⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: I Jardine| OR: 109

14/1

Got off the mark over hurdles at the ninth attempt at Musselburgh (2m4f, good) in February, from a mark of 106. Well held on chase debut at Kelso when last seen in March and needs plenty of improvement.

Form: 024213-

Forecasts

Ennistown (7/4), Francky Du Berlais (3/1), Sonic (3/1), Squouateur (5/1), Tokaramore (14/1), Just Minded (33/1)

Improvement from Sonic in this would most likely make him a strong contender, but ENNISTOWN is not top on official BHA ratings for nothing, and he is also open to progress and gets the vote. Squouateur can't be ruled out, but is not easy to fancy for win purposes, while Francky Du Berlais is of interest on his chase debut and far from written off.