Hunter Chase Betting Service

Wed, Mar 10, 2010

Catterick – Wednesday March 11^th

AREYACODDINME – Moody sort who seems best when fresh; stayed on well to finish a close second to Miss Tosca in a Duncombe Restricted last time but couldn’t be relied upon to repeat the dose. Probably best in headgear, which he doesn’t wear today.

BLAZING BULL – Landed a massive gamble when winning a conditions Maiden at Charm Park last season, but well held in Restricteds since, losing touch when falling three out on his return at Brocklesby. Still has potential and in a good yard, but plenty of questions to answer at present.

CHERRYLAND – Fancied in these quarters to run well at Market Rasen last time but was never in the hunt in a decent contest after an early mistake; this is a massively weaker race and couldn’t rule him out despite seeming to have plenty to find at the weights.

COOL CLICHE – Exposed and error-prone maiden under Rules; has found his level in weak Maidens this season, beaten a maximum of three lengths, appreciating the testing conditions on both occasions. Has travelled a long way to contest this poor affair and wouldn’t rule out, even if he does seemingly have a fair amount to find.

HIGH MOOR – Speedy sort who has won two races on fastish ground, both at Mordon, but generally struggled last season despite winning a Restricted (well beaten in his sole Hunter Chase outing). Can lose interest quickly and showed nothing on his return to action at Duncombe last month.

JIMMY’S DUKY – Most consistent in Points and his form in that sphere would easily be good enough for him to get involved in this company, but is nowhere near as effective under Rules and has failed to finish in two of his last three outings (finished last the other time) including when the exhausted rider fell off at the last when tailed off at Leicester. Has the ability to go close but his jumping needs to improve and the rider needs to strengthen up.

KEEN WHIP – Temperamental sort who won twice last season but also prone to going loopy, as he showed when turning into a bucking bronco at Hutton Rudby. Has been in a better mood this term, finishing close-up in a couple of Confineds. Goes well for this rider and couldn’t rule out in his current frame of mind, despite his lack of experience over regulation fences.

L’OUDON – Triple winning hurdler over the minimum trip but former connections quickly put the kybosh on his chasing career; however, showed occasional smart form in Points last season, notably when defeating a below-par Sonevafushi at Witton. Never in the hunt and pulled up behind that rival on his comeback, which was disappointing, but should have come on for the run and has a leading chance at these weights. The main concern is his poor showings over regulation fences in the past.

POP PLAY AGAIN – Poor on the Flat and in a maiden hurdle, but has proved a consistent low-grade Pointer despite not being able to win. Pulls hard and sometimes struggles to last home and with the presence of other free-running types in the field is likely to burn himself out before the business end of the race.

RACING ACE – Unraced under Rules but a consistent and lightly raced Pointer; won a Maiden at Mordon last year, two starts after finishing a good third to the smart My Old Piano. Behind Areyacoddinme on his comeback but is better than that horse and would be expected to turn the tables today. Seems to stay and jump well.

THE VIKING – Late maturer who was nine before he managed to get off the mark, and followed up in a Mordon Restricted last season (beat subsequent handicap winner Its Teescomponents). Upsides the useful Network Oscar when coming down two out in an Open next time and not seen since, but has run well fresh in the past and would have an excellent chance if his most recent effort can be taken at face value.

WAS I RIGHT – Went close at Sedgefield in ’08 but has lost the plot since; the veteran owner-rider is a major hindrance and the pairing is easy to oppose.

WILLYWONT HE – 3m handicap hurdle winner in ’07 and not beaten far by Belem Ranger in a Sedgefield Hunter Chase, but is essentially an extremely tricky ride who often doesn’t get going until far too late, as he did on his comeback behind Laertes and Eliza Doalott (winner since). The bare form is strong in the context of this race but he can’t be relied upon to put his best foot forward; if he did there is every chance he could come flying through to snatch it on the run-in.

OH SO PERKY – Game and consistent sort who has yet to finish out of the frame in five Points and a Hunter Chase; the form is weak but she comes here in typically good form and no surprise if she runs better than her form suggests she should. Stays well.

PENDLE FOREST – Out of one of this author’s favourite race-mares but a poor and regressive sort herself; should feature prominently for a while but likely to back-pedal when push comes to shove.

SHANTEEN LASS – Has been placed a couple of times from twelve tries in Hunter Chases, notably when a close second to I See A Star in this very race last year (good); typically unable to repeat the dose afterwards although she did finish second to a heavily eased Sonevafushi at Witton last time. Chances on form and has the course experience, but more exposed than most.

Conclusion – Quantity rather than quality is the order of the day here and nothing can be fancied strongly. At the weights the main fancies would be Keen Whip, L’Oudon, Shanteen Lass, The Viking and Willywont He. At current prices the final two mentioned would be of interest although there are minor doubts surrounding both of them (fitness for the former, attitude for the latter).