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The opening race of the card can go the way of this Philip Hobbs-trained runner providing his jumping has improved over the summer. He blundered away his chance when last seen in May and would surely have been schooled intensively in advance of this comeback. If that does the trick, he has more than enough ability to win a race of this standard
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A hugely competitive handicap chase with plenty in with a chance, but we’re going to side with Chambard, trained by Venetia Williams. This seven-year-old was progressive last season and was unsuited by dropping to two miles at Haydock last time. The step up to 2m4f will be right up his street as will a return to a right-handed track – his best form is going that way around. Williams is operating at a 31 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight, so a big run can be expected from Chambard,
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Ran in some really hot Graded hurdle races last season against the likes of Triumph Hurdle runner-up Pentland Hills and Fusil Raffles and showed definite signs of ability. Has been given wind surgery over the summer, which will hopefully bring about some improvement, and this race is far weaker than those he contested last season.
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It’s impossible to tip against one of last season’s leading novice chasers as he makes his return to the track. Santini was involved in one of the best races at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, when runner-up to Topofthegame in the RSA Chase, and connections will hope he can make up into a Gold Cup horse this season. With that in mind, it will be a huge shock if he fails to come home in front here.
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Makes his first start for Fergal O’Brien after leaving the Richard Philips yard. Form regressed after winning a really hot 20-runner handicap at this track last year and he is now rated only 1lb higher than for that run. A move to a different stable may well reinvigorate him and his new trainer has started the season in great form.
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Plenty of old favourites contest this veterans’ chase and it’s Le Reve who is taken to roll back the years. He runs really well at this track and finished third in the big end-of-season handicap chase here just two years ago. He was still capable of winning last season and that just gives him the edge over some admirable types here.
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Not much in the way of form to go on in this bumper so we’ll take a chance with Fly Number One for trainer Nick Gifford. Gifford tends to unearth one decent bumper horse every year and those he does tend to run at top tracks early in their career. That suggests he could just have a good one on his hands here.
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