Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase: Runner-by-runner guide and tip

We are in for a treat on Saturday with Grade One winners, Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor, set to clash for the third time over fences in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, live on Racing TV at 3.35pm.

The former won the battle in last year’s Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, but the latter reversed the form in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase when last seen, and they both arrive here with a rating of 161.

There are some high-class opponents in opposition, though, including Eldorado Allen who is the highest-rated contender in the field, and has some strong form next to his name.

Four of the five runners are making their seasonal debuts, so some guesswork is required as to how fit each contender will be, with the majority having bigger targets over the coming months.

The ground is currently good to soft, good in places at Wetherby, and with minimal rain forecast (at the time of writing), the ground is unlikely to change ahead of racing.

Below is a verdict on the seven contenders, as well as some vital form clues. Best of luck with whoever you decide to side with, and please remember to gamble responsibly.

Trainer: Joe Tizzard. Jockey: Brendan Powell. General odds: 5-1.

Took a big step forward last season and produced a career best when landing the Denman Chase, his first start over further than an extended 2m4f.

Probably matched that form when third in the Ryanair Chase on his next start, and it is best to forgive his below-par run at Aintree, with Joe Tizzard believing his stable star was “over the top” there following a long season.

Eldorado Allen’s record following a 200-plus day break reads 1211, and he was successful in the Haldon Gold Cup on his return to action last season, so it is wise to think he won’t be lacking for much fitness here, which may give him an advantage over Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor.

He also remains unexposed over this trip, plus is the highest-rated contender in the field, and although he has to concede weight to all his rivals, he looks sure to be involved in the finish.

Trainer: Fergal O'Brien. Jockey: Connor Brace. General odds: 40-1.

An overall consistent performer who ran with plenty of credit when fourth at Grade One level on his final start last season, which came following an effortless victory in a Grade Three handicap off a rating of 147 where he jumped and travelled extremely well.

Didn’t shape with a great deal of promise on his return to action at Chepstow this month, although it was reported that he was unsuited by the good to firm ground plus he was also struck into.

He does, at least, have a run under his belt now, and although he has stamina to prove racing over three miles for the first time, he has won over an extended 2m6f, so this trip should not be an issue, especially on this ground.

Fergal O’Brien’s charge is likely to have more to offer again this season but, even if he does produce his best, it probably won’t be enough to lower the colours of those towards the top of the market. It is also a concern he disappointed on his only start at Wetherby.

Trainer: Anthony Honeyball. Jockey: Aidan Coleman. General odds: 25-1.

He may have had his issues having only raced 13 times, but this ten-year-old is a useful performer on his day and signed off last season with a career-best effort when defeating Shan Blue, an unlucky loser of the Charlie Hall last season, by 15 lengths at Aintree.

With a rating of 157 now, that doesn’t leave him with a huge amount to find with the leading players, and a case can be made for him on his latest outing where he appeared to relish the return to good to soft ground having raced predominantly on soft or heavy for the past couple of seasons.

That said, he did appear outpaced before staying on strongly at Aintree, so probably needs the going to ease ahead of Saturday.

He has a mixed record fresh, too, although has won following a 750-day break before plus also ran well in the Colin Parker on his seasonal debut two years ago.

Trainer: Lucinda Russell. Jockey: Derek Fox. General odds: 5-2.

Has always been held in the highest regard by connections and this Grade One-winning hurdler looked in need of the experience on his first few starts over fences last season.

However, he still produced a high level of form and after finishing second behind L’Homme Presse in the Brown Advisory, he stormed clear to defeat some useful rivals in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree, including Bravemansgame who, admittedly, did run below par, as did his Cheltenham Festival conqueror.

Lucinda Russell’s stable star was an impressive winner over this course and distance last season – he is also proven on quicker ground – and has the potential to develop into a leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender.

His tendency to jump to his right last season is a slight concern, but there’s no doubting his ability and he rates a major player here.

Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Jockey: Harry Cobden. General odds: 6-4.

High-class hurdler who created a big impression over fences last season, including when defeating Ahoy Senor with ease in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.

Failed to show his best behind that rival at Aintree, but Paul Nicholls was keen to draw a line through that run, and his exciting prospect underwent a wind op over the summer.

His jumping has been a huge asset over fences so far, and that could be the deciding factor here against his main market rival who was prone to a mistake or two last season.

Nicholls advised in a recent stable tour on racingtv.com that the King George is the main aim for his seven-year-old, so it would be wise to think he will strip fitter for this outing ahead of Kempton, but the Champion Trainer has his string in fine form having operated at a strike-rate of 34 per cent so far this month.

This test promises to suit, the ground will be ideal and, like Ahoy Senor, Bravemansgame has the potential to reach the top in open company this season.

It is hard to know how ready Bravemansgame and AHOY SENOR will be here, but they are two of the most exciting prospects heading out of novice company this season and given their lofty reputations, it will be disappointing if one of them doesn’t come out on top.

The former is probably a shade short in the betting compared to Ahoy Senor and the Mildmay Novices’ Chase winner looks the one to side with at the 5-2 on offer with the sponsors. There’s no doubting his jumping could improve, but he certainly looked a work in progress last season and this test is sure to suit.