Betfair Denman Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 50.9s

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Selected odds by:

Clan Des Obeaux^p⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 172| C

1/1

Top-class chaser who comes here on back of good second in King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Also landed this contest in 2019, but yard's lack of recent winners is a worry.

Form: 23211-2

Eldorado Allen^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 155

6/1

Has taken his form up a notch this term, bagging Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter before good placed efforts in Peterborough at Huntingdon and Silviniaco Conti at Kempton. Not discounted stepping up in trip.

Form: 225-132

Imperial Aura^t⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 159

12/1

High-class chaser at his best, but he's failed to complete on all 4 starts since winning Ascot Grade 2 last term. Pulled up in Many Clouds Chase at Aintree latest one, so has questions to answer here.

Form: 11UP-FP

Royale Pagaille²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 166

2/1

Made massive strides last season, and he took another step forward when defying a BHA mark of 163 in Peter Marsh at Haydock three weeks ago. Another big run expected with ground conditions to suit.

Form: 1116-21

De Rasher Counter⁴⁸⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 149| C

33/1

Landed Ladbrokes Trophy here back in 2019 when a very smart chaser. Makes his comeback after 16 months off now though and this is no easy return.

Form: 1614P/2-

Forecasts

Clan Des Obeaux (1/1), Royale Pagaille (2/1), Eldorado Allen (6/1), Imperial Aura (12/1), De Rasher Counter (33/1)

ROYALE PAGAILLE overcame a BHA mark of 163 in Haydock's Peter Marsh Chase last month so Venetia Williams' high-class chaser is fancied to claim his most prestigious prize yet en route to another crack at Cheltenham's Gold Cup. 2019 scorer Clan Des Obeaux rates a formidable threat on his best form but his stable's lull in form is a big concern. Eldorado Allen is the pick of the remainder.