14:55 Aintree

Thursday 7 April 2022

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Betway Bowl Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 6m 33.3s

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Selected odds by:

Bristol De Mai⁴⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 159

25/1

Three-time winner of Haydock's Betfair Chase and ran another cracker at that venue when runner-up under a big weight in Grand National Trial in February. Yet to land this prize after 3 attempts, though, and unlikely to have conditions to suit.

Form: 12P-P32

Clan Des Obeaux^b1⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 168| BF| CD

13/2

Top-class chaser who bagged this prize 12 months ago before seeing off Al Boum Photo at Punchestown. Returned with good second in King George VI Chase on Boxing Day but was below par at Newbury last time and connections have now reached for first-time blinkers.

Form: 3211-23

Conflated²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 168

9/2

Much improved when landing Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on penultimate start and in process of running to similar level when coming down 2 out in Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month. Return to longer trip will suit and not taken lightly.

Form: 4-U211F

Eldorado Allen^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 163

11/2

Has taken his form up a notch this term, bagging Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and Gr 2 Denman Chase at Newbury. Acquitted himself really well (only one to mix it with Allaho) when third in Ryanair Chase latest and looks sure to give another good account here.

Form: 5-13213

Itchy Feet^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 150

66/1

Grade 1 novice winner over fences and creditable efforts in defeat with cheekpieces fitted this term. Disappointed in first-time blinkers (now discarded) at Kelso last time, though, and has plenty on his plate in this company.

Form: 53-224P

Kemboy⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 166| CD

5/1

High-class chaser who took this prize in 2019 and made the frame for the fourth time in Gr 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Below par fifth behind Conflated at same course last time but will be fresher than most (missed Cheltenham) and can't be ruled out.

Form: 194-835

Nuts Well³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 157| C

40/1

Very smart chaser who is a credit to connections and got back on scoreboard when taking 7-runner listed chase at Kelso last month. Sure to give his best again but will likely find this company too tough.

Form: 6-153P1

Protektorat^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 164| CD

5/2

Convincing winner of opening race on this card last term and made it 2 from 2 at this course when easily taking Grade 2 contest in December. Emerged best of British when good third to A Plus Tard in Cheltenham Gold Cup last month and looks sure to make another bold bid here.

Form: 221-213

Royale Pagaille²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 164

8/1

Defied a big weight in Peter Marsh at Haydock before good second to Eldorado Allen in Denman Chase at Newbury in February. Gave another good account when fifth in Cheltenham Gold Cup last time but this easier test of stamina may not really play to his strengths.

Form: 16-2125

Forecasts

Protektorat (5/2), Conflated (9/2), Kemboy (5/1), Eldorado Allen (11/2), Clan Des Obeaux (13/2), Royale Pagaille (8/1), Bristol De Mai (25/1), Nuts Well (40/1), Itchy Feet (66/1)

PROTEKTORAT acquitted himself really well behind A Plus Tard in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month and is fancied to maintain his 100% record at this course. Conflated proved his Irish Gold Cup success was no fluke in Ryanair Chase (looked sure to be placed before falling 2 out) and rates the chief threat, whilst the admirable Eldorado Allen is also expected to make his presence felt in what looks a really competitive renewal of this Grade 1 contest.