Betbright Chase 2014

Although ran as The Racing Plus chase for the last couple of years, it’s better known as The Racing Post Chase, and it’s witnessed some fine winners under that title, including Rhyme n Reason, Bonanza Boy, Docklands Express, Rough Quest, Nacarat (twice), Marlborough, the ill-fated Gloria Victis, who had a memorable win, and last but not least, Desert Orchid.

I’m looking for something of that ilk in the current entries, but I’m struggling. To say the least.

Not a race I’ve had much joy in, though the victories of Young Spartacus, and Quinz, did offer some respite.

Going by my selections the last couple of years, I’d be well advised to leave alone, but I’ll give it a go.

The favourite, as shorts as 3’s in places, is Bury Parade. Has ground out a couple of victories this season, including over this course and distance, but splitting those wins, was him refusing to race at Exeter. His win here in November against a small but select field probably entitles him to be near the head of the market, but that glimpse of temperament in December, makes me just question whether he deserves to be as low as 3’s at this stage. Trained by Paul Nicholls, there’s a couple of others from the yard entered. Grandioso chased home Bury Parade last time at Ascot, and although he disappointed when pulled up in The December Gold Cup, his proximity to Cantlow, and Easter Meteor at Newbury in November is more like it. A relatively consistent sort, he makes more appeal at 9’s than his stablemate. Jump City is a hard one to take a view on. He chased home Planet of Sound here last month, and he’ll be meeting that horse on slightly better terms this time, but he followed that up with a very hard race at Sandown which was a proper slog. The percentage call is that, that race has left it’s mark, and he just doesn’t strike me as the most obvious one, though a repeat of his run at Kempton last month could see him getting competitive.

Ardkilly Witness ran in the same race at Sandown as Jump City, and like that horse, a lot comes down to how well he’s recovered in the 3 weeks leading up to this race. He finished ahead of Jump City that day, only finding the winner too good. Still a Novice, he’s a model of consistency, only finishing out the first 3, twice in his last 11 races, and one of those races, was the ultra-competitive Pertemps Final at The Festival, so he’s not easily discounted. He’s ran against some decent opposition in the past, but there’s just the niggling thought, that he rarely actually gets his head in front, and when he does, it’s questionable what he’s beat. I’ll pass him over at 6’s, albeit reluctantly.

Heading the weights, is Rajdhani Express, who’s had an interrupted season. A horse I really like, and of the field, arguably the one with the most potential. He was a confident bet for me for The December Gold Cup, but he met with a setback, and didn’t make it. I’ve had him in mind for The Topham for a while, and didn’t expect to see him step up in trip till next season, but if he takes his chance here, he won’t do himself any favours for future handicaps like The Topham. He still holds an entry for The Ryanair, for which I don’t think he’s a forlorn hope, and a bold showing here will see the 33’s for that race quickly evaporate. Can see him running very well here off his current mark, should he take up the engagement. 12’s with Ladbrokes look fair.

I bet Planet of Sound here last month, and I thought he was really impressive in victory. Although a 12yo now, I don’t think the 4lb rise is particularly harsh, and surely another big show is in the offing. He’s bound to be very popular, and like Rajdhani, the 12’s available (with Betvic) looks very appealing.

Another horse I bet regularly is Midnight Appeal. Won at Bangor this season, with Welsh National winner Mountainous behind him, in the style of a horse who won’t go down without a fight, before hating the experience over the National Fences in The Grand Sefton. He’s easily forgiven that run, and a lot more to like about his narrow second here a fortnight ago. Back in form, and although he may not be good enough to get his head in front, he’s bound to give supporters a run for their money.

Bless The Wings is a horse I’ve been waiting for in a decent race for a while now, and I’ve had him in the back of my mind for Cheltenham. Should he take his chance here, he’ll muddy the waters for sure, and with him below his last winning mark now, he’s hard to ignore. He’s taken in 2 decent handicaps at Ascot this season, and although he’s not got competitive, he’s not disgraced himself either. He’s causing me a headache at 14’s, and in an ideal world, I’d rather he swerved this for Cheltenham.

Seems very rare to see a Saturday go by without a big winner from the Venetia Williams yard, and she’s represented by the interesting Niceonefrankie. Had the very decent Double Ross behind him earlier in the season, before running with credit behind Grandioso at Newbury in the race won by Cantlow. Difficult to know what to make of his run in The Skybet, where he finished fifth, as that race was a proper slog, and found out some more experienced types. Conditions here may be more to his liking. Venetia’s got a few she could have called on for this, and the fact he’s her only representative, when she’s in such fine form, may be a tip in itself.

Also running in The Skybet, was the eventual runner up, Baile Anrai. He had a hard race that day too, but was a fine effort to go so close in those conditions. He might not have the bare speed to land this, but can easily see him picking a few of these off for place money.

Standing Ovation enjoyed a great run earlier in the season, winning 4 on the bounce, before finally coming unstuck at Cheltenham in November. Some of the form of his wins has taken a bit of a knock, and in a couple of them, you could say he didn’t beat much, but, visually, his Wincanton victory in November in particular, he looked the real deal. It may be the case that the handicapper has finally caught up with him, but that win at Wincanton is difficult to forget.

Tom George has some fun in this race with Nacarat, and he’s represented here by What’s Happening. He caught the eye at Newbury earlier in the season, and although he’s seemingly got a bit on his plate, I quite like him for this. More of a hunch than a solid form pick, I just think he could be relatively unexposed, and on a couple of his runs, I’d give him a squeak. Trainer certainly knows what’s required for this race.

One of the outsiders, Bally Legend, has ran at the course 5 times in the last year and a half, and only out the frame once. Ok, his last run was in a “Jumpers Bumper”, but he did have Shakalakaboomboom, and yesterdays winner Dawn Commander behind him. I’m not unduly concerned about that kind of prep, and in a race where you could make a case for them all, then I might just be tempted to go for one at a price, and although he’s 25’s for a reason, I’ve seen worse contenders at that price.

Finally, my old friend/nemesis, Tour Des Champs. Been following him for a couple of years now, and thought he was one for the future, and was one of my early bets for this years National. Things haven’t went according to plan, and his run in The Welsh National was particularly poor, he seemed as if he didn’t want to know. He’s also been a bit of a sketchy jumper in the past, though has improved in that department this season. As a result his mark has dropped, and he’s very little, to no chance of making Aintree. He’s very difficult to recommend, but stable is showing a bit more form now, and he’s dropped nearly a stone from chasing home Rocky Creek, and Houblon Des Obeaux last year at Ascot. He would have finished a lot closer that day, but for clouting one. Not out of the question that this could be the big prize I’ve always had in mind for him…….but he does come with risks. As much as I like him, I’ll be as surprised as anyone if he wins.

The head says Rajdhani Express, Planet of Sound, What’s Happening, or Bless The Wings, but when you’ve got an eye that many, when there’s only 14 entered up, then you might as well go for a price.

Bally Legend at 25’s seem attractive from an each way stance, and he’ll do for me.

GL