This Begginers' Chase will be a true test of stamina in these conditions and given that PHEIDIAS handles the ground and just about stayed this far last time will side with Pam Sly's runner but we fear Hinton Thunderbolt if that one's fit after a lengthy absence while The Jazz Musician is an interesting contender. Still a maiden the selection shaped with some promise in a better race on his fencing debut and seemed to last home over this trip. With none of these proven over this test he has a good chance at improving on his first try over fences. Hinton Thunderbolt also goes well in these conditions and wasn't stopping over a shaper distance when easily landing a hurdle race at Plumpton the last time we saw him. That was over a year and a half ago but if he can run up to his hurdles form he may well go in. The Jazz Musicain recovered from a fall on his chasing bow to complete when outpaced over an inadequate trip on his latest effort and is worth another try while Theophrastus is the form pick but hasn't been tested in ground this soft. Another tight affair which could give Pheidias his first win.
Helpston 9-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, tracked leaders until weakened approaching 8th, tailed off, 13th of 18, well behind Lie Forrit (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Hinton Thunderbolt 9-4 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 6th, ridden clear last, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar '08 beating Ambrosinni (11-5) by 11l, 10 ran.
Mortimers Cross 18-1 (9-11) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, well behind Diamond Harry (11-12) at Haydock 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Nebeltau (GER) 28-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, hit 8th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Comhla Ri Coig (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Pheidias (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 11th, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, 5l behind Mobaasher (11-1) at Southwell 3m beg chs (3) gd.
The Jazz Musician (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Den of Iniquity (11-0) at Folkestone 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Theophrastus (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Led, awkward and headed 2nd, tracked leader until 9th, mistake next, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 4th of 7, 19l behind Awesome George (10-12) at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) gd in Nov.
Walkingonsunshine 66-1 (10-12) Chased leader until approaching 9th, weakened rapidly, tailed off and pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Quartano (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 9 ran.
Dermatologiste 40-1 (10-6) With leader, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Synchronised (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
