A small field for our Early Value tip but we’ve taken AQALIM to make it a winning start for his new owners and trainer on his chasing debut. The main danger looks to be Atlantic Gold given Net Work Rouge’s six pound penalty, but he’ll need to improve on his chasing debut to take 2nd.
1 NET WORK ROUGE – The most exposed in the field over fences, he finally got off the mark on his latest start at Stratford. Rated 130 over hurdles and 131 over fences, he sets a decent standard but will need Aqalim to run below par to follow up especially with his 6lb penalty.
2 AQALIM – A recognisable name for any jumps fan, he was a top class novice for Bloomfields before struggling in tough company in his second season over hurdles. Sold for £55,000 in April in their dispersal sale, the good ground should be fine here and given he was rated 15 pounds he’s clearly the class horse in the race.
3 ATLANTIC GOLD – Rated 135 over hurdles (100/1 for the Albert Bartlett at the Festival), will likely have a battle with Rolling Maul for the lead. Was a distant 3rd sent off 11/4 on his chase debut and that form doesn’t look very strong. Should make a decent handicapper in the future but likely to find at least one too good today.
4 ROLLING MAUL – Rated 127 over fences following 3 runs at the end of 2015 – Pulled up, 4th (67 lengths) and Pulled Up, he was pulled up on his last start and was beaten 9 lengths by Aqalim at Cheltenham over 3 miles when they met in April of last year over hurdles. Short odds considering his previous performances over fences.