I will be at my local track Uttoxeter on Monday, where the most interesting race looks to be the Beginners’ Chase over 2m6f. A few of the runners have already been chasing and will therefore have an advantage in experience, but I’m going to take a chance on Negus De Beaumont making a successful chasing debut for trainer Ferdy Murphy.

The six-year-old was a smart and successful staying hurdler last season, running one of his best races at the Cheltenham Festival, where he finished strongly into sixth behind Wichita Lineman on ground that was probably too quick for him. The selection loves the mud and he will get plenty of that at Uttoxeter, which is currently heavy with more rain forecast. The 3m trip shouldn’t be a problem either, and his trainer, who describes him as a Gold Cup horse in the making, is sure to have him well-schooled for his chasing debut.

I see that he is forecast to start 6/4 favourite (both bet365 and Stan James offer a best odds guarantee) and that’ll do for me.

Conditions are also likely to be testing for the Beginners’ Chase at Warwick over 2m, and that points to the chances of William Bonney, who is able to handle heavy ground well judged on his hurdling exploits last season. I was at Sandown last February when he beat Over The Flow on desperate ground. He looked like an embryo chaser that day, so it was no surprise to see him run well in his two starts over fences this term. He jumped particularly well on his chasing debut at Lingfield, when pushing the well-regarded Pauillac close, and he confirmed that promise at Plumpton last time out when a good third behind Kruguyrova and It‘s A Dream. That was a pretty hot contest and this is much easier so a win is very much on the cards.

With Overstrand and Presenting Copper in opposition, he should be a good price too - forecast at 7/2.

Recommended Bets:

Negus De Beaumont 2pt @ best morning-line price*
William Bonney 1pt @ best morning-line price

*bet365 and Stan James offer a best odds guarantee on all races