Verdict

Wee Forbees can get his career back on track and get the better of Chef De Cour and Gypsy George in this Beginners Chase. Sent off a short-priced favourite for his chase debut over three miles in November, he was travelling well enough until a bad mistake knocked the stuffing out of him. Another mistake a couple of fences later put paid to his chances and he was quickly pulled up. A useful hurdler who has the scope to make a better chaser, he has enough speed for this shorter trip and is sure to have been intensively schooled. Chef De Cour and Zaffran Gail are watched with interest on their chase debuts but, like the selection, will come into their own over further as will Gyspy George who showed ability on debut last month. The trip looks ideal for Monsieur but he has some jumping issues to address and is best watched at present. So, for the winner, we return to Wee Forbees.

Formwatch

Chef de Cour (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, steady headway 4 out, led after last, driven out comfortably, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Tartan Snow (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.

Gypsy George 11-2 (11-0) Behind, headway 8th, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 14, 25l behind Divex (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gf in Dec.

Magic Bengie 150-1 (11-0) Held up, behind from 5th, soon tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Circassian (11-0) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) gs in Dec.

Monsieur (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Led, clear when fell 5 out in race won by Sunday City (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov, 13 ran.

Wee Forbees (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Led and set strong pace, blundered 10th, headed 13th, weakened rapidly and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Rathowen (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.

Zaffran Gail (IRE) 125-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, effort after 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Master Builder (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.