Hunter Chase Betting Service

Fri, Mar 12, 2010

Sandown – Friday March 12th

BACK NINE – Moody in the extreme but talented and has plenty of form around here, dual Hunter Chase winner last season but has shown signs of feeling his years this term, reportedly suffering from a breathing problem when pulling up in desperate ground at Fontwell last time. This is certainly a lot easier and the better ground may well suit, but has questions to answer now under top weight; has never finished out of the frame on the four occasions he has been partnered by this rider.

HE’S THE GAFFER – Six wins from 22 in chases under Rules but out of form since landing a hat-trick in summer ’08; bounced back to form to give this rider a first career win at North Carlton a couple of weeks ago, although the form is questionable with the two market leaders failing to finish. Still has to prove that he is as good as he once was, but this is a weak affair and with conditions to suit looks to have a leading chance.

VAN NESS – Ultra consistent sort and finished a fine second in this race last year; decent effort on ground softer than ideal over an extended 2m4f here on his comeback (11L ahead of Back Nine) and with the better ground expected to be in his favour looks the one to beat in this modest company.

WICKFORD – Ultimately disappointing last season after winning a strong Open from the front at Barbury on his comeback; given his decent record fresh it was disappointing that he was never in the hunt at Bangor, when hold up tactics clearly didn’t work. A return to front-running would be ideal around here and at the weights he has a strong form chance. Acts on good, but particularly adept in mud.

WHISTLE BLOWING – Regressive maiden chaser when last seen under Rules in 2008; finally off the mark in poor Maiden company at Horseheath in late January but beaten over 30 lengths in a Restricted next time and looks to be tilting at windmills in this company.

Conclusion – Both Back Nine and Wickford have the talent to land this but both lack the reliability of Van Ness; his rider may have a most unorthodox style but the duo get on extremely well together.

Leicester – Friday March 12th

Mallard Pawnbrokers Hunters’ Chase (2m7.5f)

WHIZZAAR – Bold jumping front-runner who has a decent record at this level; four wins in ’09 included an Ascot Hunter Chase over 2m6f where he battled gamely to beat Care And Share. Produced arguably a career best when failing by eight lengths to give 19lbs to the brilliant Sericina at Taunton and looks the one to beat here on that evidence, despite the burden of top weight once again.

FARMER FRANK – Won three out of five in ’09 including a short Hunter Chase at Towcester; confirmed his well-being when winning a Thorpe Mens Open by a narrow margin on his comeback (third a winner since, The King Of Angels ten lengths fourth) and although he has to raise his game in this company, wouldn’t be without a chance as long as conditions do not deteriorate.

LISADELL KING – Placed in Ireland and has since run up a five-timer for his incredible veteran owner/rider, culminating in a wide-margin success over an extended 2m4f here last month. This is significantly tougher but his confidence is sky-high and there is no way he can be ignored.

LITTLE ROCKER – Jumps left and idle in a finish, but has ability when he chooses to do so, and did just that when a surprise winner of a 2m3f Hunter Chase at Hereford last season on fastish ground. Miles behind when last at Huntingdon on his comeback and although he would have probably needed the run, would still need a massive personal best to be competitive in this company.

MARBLEHEAD – Four-time winner in ’08 including a Exeter Hunter Chase but his confidence appeared to be shot to pieces after he fell in the Cheltenham Foxhunters and his performances this season have given no indication that he is about to turn the corner. Big chance on his old form but probably best watched at present.

OOPSMYLORD – Lightly raced type who followed up a Restricted success on his ’09 comeback with a win at a nice price here last season in which he turned over fancied stablemate Gentle George. Winless since but has produced some fine efforts in defeat including when second to Bob Hall on his comeback. Found conditions too gruelling at Haydock last time out and with the ground back in his favour is certainly one for the short-list.

POINT PROVEN – Proved his inability to battle in a finish when just touched off in both his starts this season; was a disappointing type in Ireland after landing a Tipperary Hunter Chase on good ground in ’08 and looks up against it in this company.

LADY MYFANWY – Nigh on invincible in Welsh Points down the years and went close over this course and distance a couple of years ago but has gone worryingly off the boil this season and took absolutely no interest after an early mistake at Ffos Las last time. Can’t be fancied in her current frame of mind.

ARDNACLANCY – out of the bargain bucket but enjoyed a tremendous first season, winning five out of his seven outings, beating subsequent Hunter Chase winners in the process. Thrown into the deep end on his comeback and did extremely well to finish 15L third to Cowboyboots and Vicario in a Haydock gluepot. Stays very well, resolute and a good jumper; the faster ground today will be no concern and he remains a chaser of massive potential.

BURNTOAKBOY – Classy hurdler/chaser who notably won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham a few years back; developed into a very decent Pointer last season although a mid-season setback ruled him out of Cheltenham and he was then outclassed at Stratford. Cruised home in a minor Club race on his comeback and subsequently second to Gentle George at Huntingdon; trip/ground fine and a leading form chance, but looks rather onepaced these days and could be vulnerable at the business end.

PICABO KID – Disappointing and ungenuine under Rules but has found his niche in Points and ended ’09 as the leading Midlands Area novice horse. Confirmed his well-being when beating a reluctant Point Proven at North Carlton on his comeback but there is nothing in his form to suggest that he is up to winning a race of this calibre.

THE KING OF ANGELS – Rarely won but proved to be a strong stayer when with Jonjo, winning and finishing placed over 3m4f (best on top of the ground). Only fair efforts in defeat so far in Points but the veteran owner has been a major hindrance and the presence of Dickie Barrett today should elicit significant improvement.

Conclusion – Burntoakboy looks vulnerable in good company, so this could well go to Whizzaar, whose second to Sericina when giving away lumps of weight reads extremely well in this company. Lisadell King is at the top of his game but this is a lot tougher than his last race, and a greater threat may come from the youngster Ardnaclancy. Watch out for improvement from The King Of Angels also.

Thrusters Hunters’ Chase (2m)

PREDATEUR – Useful but quirky for Paul Nicholls; only managed to win twice from fifteen outings over fences, most recently in a novice chase at Newton Abbot in which he typically raced lazily and idled when in front. Weakened in the closing stages when third to Cedrus Libani at Ludlow (done for second by a poor animal near the line); untrustworthy, but this is a bad race and a repeat of that form would put him right there.

KINFAYRE BOY – Modest chase/hurdle winner, the most recent success coming in selling company last summer; has done all of his recent racing over 2m4f+ so strange to see him starting his career in this grade over the minimum trip. Rider had an appalling completion record when he was last seen in the saddle five years ago.

MEDIA MAN – Won a minor maiden chase over 2m (good/firm) in May ’08 but disappeared shortly afterwards and the rider came off at the first fence when unfancied for a Brocklesby Confined on his comeback. Has a much more experienced pilot on board today but questions to answer at present.

CHEF DE COUR – Won four hurdles between ’05 and ’07 between 2m1f and 2m7f (seems to act on any ground) but has shown little aptitude for chasing and was the subject of a nutty gamble from 33s to 8/1 on his most recent start at Higham (made mistakes and finished last).

DARK ARTIST – Rated as high as 137 after some consistent chasing efforts as a youngster in Ireland (best on soft ground) but things quickly went wrong and he was badly out of form when last seen in summer ’09. Failed to stay on his comeback at Black Forest after holding every chance jumping the second last and bound to be fitter today; has travelled a long way to contest this and an interesting contender.

MADE IN FRANCE – Formerly competent but thoroughly ungenuine nowadays and failed to beat a rival last season (win came courtesy of a walk-over). Safely ignored.

OSCAR D’ANGRON – Placed numerous times in France and Britain but essentially a disappointing type who doesn’t stay 3m in Points. Hard to know what he achieved when given a terrible ride over 2m4f here last time, not guaranteed to appreciate the further drop in trip although it may help; place claims in a poor race.

PRELUDE D’ESTRUVAL – Heavy ground winner in France but has simply not wanted to try since arriving on these shores and things hit a new low when he was pulled up in all three ’09 outings.

YOUNG COLLIER – Can be a bit of a handful but a consistent performer at this level, finds three miles stretching his stamina outside of Points so no surprise about his effort at Fakenham on his comeback; in contrast may find this trip on the sharp side but is a decent front-runner when on song and could have most of these on the stretch from an early stage.

Conclusion – Plenty of disappointing animals here (a typical 2m Hunter Chase) and the safest option looks to be Young Collier who should be hard to pass if he gets into a rhythm out in front.