bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 6m 16.92s

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Selected odds by:

Cyrname^t²⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 168| BF| CDWS

85/40

Posted top-class effort in landing this event 12 months ago but he flopped after in King George and Betfair Chase at Ascot (cheekpieces). Goes very well fresh, so taken to bounce back after a wind op.

Form: 12F/1PP-

Clondaw Castle²⁰⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 159| D

8/1

Continued his progress last term, well served by the step up to 3m when landing Close Brothers Handicap Chase at Kempton before runner-up in Betway Bowl at Aintree. Not ruled out by any means.

Form: 213212-

Mighty Thunder^p,t¹⁹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 151| D

66/1

Vastly improved last season, and bagged a fourth win in Scottish National at Ayr in the spring. Likeable sort who has won off a break but this return to 3m is not ideal given his bottomless stamina.

Form: 116121-

Shan Blue²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 148| CD

2/1

Looked an exciting prospect when landing Kauto Star at Kempton last December but he wasn't seen to very best effect after when aggressively ridden. C&D scorer who is sort to improve this term. Claims.

Form: 111252-

Fusil Raffles²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152

10/3

Very smart novice chaser, cracking second in Marsh Chase at the Festival, and he occupied same spot when making a pleasing return at Newton Abbot 20 days ago. Has his stamina to prove over 3m though.

Form: 1P12P-2

Kitty's Light²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 149| D

11/1

Scored four times in a fine first campaign over fences, and he took his form up another notch when runner-up in 3m Chepstow handicap 3 weeks ago. This is another big step up, but he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 43712-2

Top Ville Ben^h¹⁸⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 156| CD

33/1

Three-time C&D winner, including in 2019 Rowland Meyrick, but only twice raced since and pulled up in Group 2 hurdles event at Auteuil in April. Yard going well, but this is a major ask.

Form: 35313/P

Forecasts

Shan Blue (2/1), Cyrname (85/40), Fusil Raffles (10/3), Clondaw Castle (8/1), Kitty's Light (11/1), Top Ville Ben (33/1), Mighty Thunder (66/1)

Last year's impressive winner CYRNAME again holds a clear edge on form and given his excellent record when fresh too he is fancied to get right back on track after a second wind op. Improving second-season chaser Shan Blue could emerge as the main danger to Paul Nicholls's top-class 9-y-o with the reliable Clondaw Castle rated next best in a fascinating renewal of the Charlie Hall.