The exciting Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerreiro-trained novice chaser White Rhino has been entered for this weekend’s Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Chase run over 3m2f and worth £70,000.
The 9-year-old has not been seen since unseating his rider when stepped up to Grade 1 company on Boxing Day in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (G1). He had previously looked a chaser to follow in winning his first two starts over the larger obstacles.
The Twiston-Davies yard won this back in 2022 with Undersupervision and he has been entered once again alongside stablemate The Kniphand who is a three-time course winner, and Weveallbeencaught who took advantage of a dwindling handicap mark to return to winning form at this track last month.
Another former winner of this race could pitch up in the shape of Moroder who has failed to win a race since his 2023 success in this contest. No horse has regained their crown in the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe since Damers Cavalry in the 1990’s.
The Irish have a poor record in this but it is noticeable that shrewd handler Charles Byrnes has decided to enter From The Ashes. The 8-year-old produced a much more encouraging effort when third over 3m4f at Windsor last time out.
Harry Fry’s Hymac is still relatively unexposed for a 9-year-old, and he would have to be considered after a respectable runner-up effort in the Mandarin Handicap Chase over this trip when last seen.
Some Scope travelled into this race like the winner last year, only to find himself outstayed. Although he was pulled-up at Cheltenham last month, the course winner showed a good attitude to win the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day.
The consistent Surrey Quest has acquitted himself in staying handicap chases for the Toby Lawes stable including when going agosingly close in the Scottish National last year. He posted another solid effort in defeat when third in the Edinburgh National.
