'I'm excited to go novice chasing with him' - is there another Ginny's Destiny in this informative contest?

This was the race that launched Ginny's Destiny last season. He finished seventh. Approach this race as both a betting platform and a formline in a similar spirit. It is all about potential.

That might have you thinking twice about Guard Your Dreams, who is late to chasing at eight. But that is not quite the argument being presented here. Guard Your Dreams will not be the best of these come late April. That does not mean he won't win today. He is fit and has the back class.

If there is a Ginny's Destiny in this field, the likeliest candidate is Lord Of Thunder. He has a high-class jumping pedigree, being by Getaway from the family of Harbour Pilot. He was second in a good-ground point-to-point and improved by the run over hurdles, culminating in two wins in the mud at Wincanton. He is tall and jumped hurdles like a chaser. You will not see many chasing debutants with as much in their favour.

Lord Of Thunder: set to make his first start over fences for Joe TizzardCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

He faces a strong but not dominant Irish challenge. Marv Michael is the likeliest threat, having taken to chasing as naturally as Henry de Bromhead's often do. Dutch Schultz has been on the go all summer and you feel this may have been the endgame with him, rather than a starting point.

If you want a Lord Of Thunder profile coupled with an attractive price, consider Bashers Reflection. Be warned that he comes with obvious trade-offs. The positives are that he is from the family of Best Mate, put in a big run on good ground at Cheltenham when last seen, and his trainer Ben Case has started the season well.

The issue is that Bashers Reflection looks a tricky ride. He threw away a race at Wetherby in February and since then his jockeys have tried to play him late. That is rarely the way to win over this course and distance. If you want a demonstration of that, you won't find many better than Ginny's Destiny.
Analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Will Carver
I hope he’s going places now he’s begun his chasing career. He had a mixed season over hurdles last term, but won over fences at Cartmel in May and was then third at Uttoxeter. We gave him a month off in a field to refresh for his autumn campaign as there simply aren’t races for horses rated as high as he is now to continue in the summer on ground he likes.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Guard Your Dreams
He's doing lovely, he ran really well first time out this season at Warwick and he's come out of the race nicely.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Riskintheground
He's got a little each-way chance and will love the ground, the track won't be an issue and he's plenty of experience chasing. But I wouldn't be surprised if there are some better-handicapped horses in there given he's been on the go for some time.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Doughmore Bay
Touch wood he's good. He schooled really well at home and he should enjoy the ground as long as it's not too lively. It's his first try over fences, but he's got pretty solid form. Ours are needing their first runs a little bit, so I'm sure he'll come on for it going forward.

Joe Tizzard, trainer of Lord Of Thunder
He's schooled well and he missed the second half of last season with an injury, but he's doing well. On the ratings, this looks the right race for him and I'm excited going novice chasing with him. He'll come on for the run, but we'll get a line on where he is really.
Reporting by Liam Headd

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