Finawn Bawn looks a fascinating recruit to fences and value to land a beginners’ chase at Chepstow on Tuesday (15:25).
This six-year-old is lightly-raced and trained by Olly Murphy. He won an Ayr bumper on his racecourse debut in May 2018 and two of four hurdles starts last season.
Connections pitched Finawn Bawn into a warm maiden hurdle at Sandown last November. He was far from disgraced when third to Eldorado Allen and beaten just over 10 lengths.
When stepped up in trip next time out, he won in ready fashion by nine lengths at Bangor. Murphy then went on the upgrade with this son of Robin Des Champs.
Finawn Bawn was again a fine third in the 2m 5f Grade 2 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick. Although he had no chance of reaching the front pair, Beakstown and Stoney Mountain, he still kept on and was only beaten about five lengths.
As the runner-up has come out and won this season, the form has a fair look to it. The gelding then resumed winning ways when eased in grade at Huntingdon and scoring by three-quarters of a length from Kingofthecotswolds.
Why Finawn Bawn is fancied
With Murphy’s stable on a 17 per cent strike rate in the last fortnight and champion jockey Richard Johnson booked to ride for the first time, he’s expected to make a bold chase debut.
Odds of 4/1 with Bethard say Finawn Bawn can win first time out over fences. That price also appeals because some of his main market rivals have questions to answer.
Truckers Lodge represents the powerful Ditcheat yard of Paul Nicholls, but he was disappointing over course and distance earlier this month.
Prime Venture, meanwhile, is zero from seven starts in this sphere. Although the Evan Williams trained eight-year-old did well in handicaps without getting his head in front last season, he looks exposed.
There are reasons to oppose both Truckers Lodge and Prime Venture, then. Finawn Bawn looks the value play against them, if taking to fences.
Bet of the Day: 4/1 with Bethard, Finawn Bawn to win the beginners’ chase at Chestow.