14:50 Aintree

Thursday 8 April 2021

All13:4514:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

Betway Bowl Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 25.94s

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Selected odds by:

Aso^p²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 157

28/1

Placed twice in the Ryanair but isn't quite at that level these days. Sound second to the much-improved Cloth Cap at Kelso but unable to land a telling blow in the Gold Cup (after a bad error).

Form: 7-7F228

Clan Des Obeaux^p1⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 169| BF

5/2

Impressive winner of the King George in 2018 and 2019. Placed all 3 starts this term, namely the Betfair Chase, King George and Denman Chase and he should be bang there in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 218-232

Clondaw Castle⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 160

13/2

Ended last season on a high and has improved again this term, looking well served by step up to 3m when landing Close Brothers Handicap Chase at Kempton. This demands further jolt of progress.

Form: 1-21321

Militarian¹¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: J Martin| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 133

250/1

Established as a useful handicap chaser. Never threatened back in trip in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham last time and is right up against it.

Form: 8450-38

Mister Fisher²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 162

15/2

Smart novice who got right back on track with gutsy victory in Peterborough Chase (staged at Cheltenham). In contention for longer than most but ultimately held back by jumping in the Ryanair.

Form: 114-P1P

Native River^b²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 170| CD

4/1

Produced a superb round of jumping when landing the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase in February. Rewarded persistence of rider when plugging on for fourth in the Gold Cup.

Form: 4/11-314

Real Steel^t¹⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 161

28/1

Dual 2½m Grade 2 winner in Ireland last term and travelled well until stamina ran out in Cheltenham Gold Cup. Tongue tied and recoiled from reappearance in the King George.

Form: 41P6-3P

Tiger Roll^b,t²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 167| C

8/1

Grand National hero in 2018 and 2019. Won't be bidding for history this week but showed he retains all his verve when a dominant winner of the Glenfarclas Cross Country for third time last month.

Form: 1/52-P61

Waiting Patiently^p⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 167

4/1

Top-class form when landing 2½m Grade 1 at Ascot in 2018. Placed all completed starts since at the highest level and has again swerved Cheltenham. Major player back up in trip.

Form: U23/3-23

Forecasts

Clan Des Obeaux (5/2), Native River (4/1), Waiting Patiently (4/1), Clondaw Castle (13/2), Mister Fisher (15/2), Tiger Roll (8/1), Aso (28/1), Real Steel (28/1), Militarian (250/1)

This has an open look to it, with WAITING PATIENTLY taken to gain another deserved success at the top level in the hope he is ridden slightly more positively with 3m on this flat track looking ideal. Cheekpieces may help Clan des Obeaux travel with a bit more zest and he is a huge threat, while 11-y-os Tiger Roll and Native River add further intrigue to the race.