Hunter Chase Betting Service

Tue, May 4, 2010

Fakenham – Tuesday May 4th

COOL RUNNING – Useful chaser at up to 2m4f in Ireland but often prone to jumping errors and has certainly not set the Hunter Chasing world alight so far; unseated after 2m in a hot race at Ffos Las but no real excuses when a modest third at Bangor. This is a much easier race but he clearly isn’t particularly straightforward and odds-on is not appealing.

KADOUNT – Winner of this race in 2008 and only beaten 4L last year; not quite at his best so far this season, including over course and distance, but finally has the fast ground he craves today and represents a yard in tremendous form at present.

THISTLECRAFT – Regressive sort; unseated in his first two Hunter Chase outings this season and subsequently 40L behind Kadount when fourth here in April; moderate 22L third in a Garthorpe Confined last time and has it all to do today.

JUMBUL SALE – Fragile sort; only raced once in 2008 (won) and missed 2009, but after pulling up on his reappearance impressed when teaming up for the first time with this rider in a Garthorpe Ladies Open; needs fastish ground, a left-handed track and an uncontested lead to be seen at his best – may well get all three here and certainly wouldn’t be without a chance.

Conclusion – Cool Running hasn’t really impressed so far and his sometimes chancy jumping will get tested to the limit on this speed track; Kadount loves it here but is not getting any younger so it may be worth chancing Jumbul Sale who has his ideal conditions and hasn’t got a lot to find on overall form.

Exeter – Tuesday May 4th

BROOK CASTLE – Fair form when winning a soft ground Intermediate at Kilworthy in a decent time in late March and subsequently third at a respectable distance over this course and distance; rider comes here on a high following four winners yesterday but faces no easy task under top-weight and still not convinced that fast ground is ideal.

DELOUGHTANE – Arrives here in good heart following small field wins at Badbury Rings and Flete Park, but the form is only moderate and he has yet to encounter regulation fences. Rider, who is not the most secure in the saddle, is making her Rules debut.

FLINSKI – Fifteen years old but still retains a smidgeon of ability, judged on his twelve lengths second at Great Trethew, but has got no closer than 23L to a winner in four Hunter Chases here in the past (beaten miles in this race last year).

GRANDE BRETAGNE – Very hard to train and finally got off the mark as a ten-year-old last season; has plenty of ability but pulled up on his comeback run at Great Trethew and hard to see him making an impression on this first NH outing for six years (to the day!).

KARLEY – Late developer who won two back-end races very easily last season, but has not found life as simple in Intermediates this term. Will be popular because of who is on board but was worryingly pulled up and dismounted on his most recent outing and has plenty to find on overall form in any case.

MOMENT OF MAGIC – Moderate performer under Rules in 2008 and declined alarmingly following a promising start to his Pointing career last season (finished tailed off in his only Hunter Chase; only flashes of ability so far this term and can’t be fancied here after a dreadful effort at Upcott Cross last time.

PARTY PICTURES – Regressive performer this season; finished behind Flinski when last at Great Trethew and ran as if something was amiss next time out; impossible to fancy on his debut in this sphere.

QUANTOCKS LASTBRAT – Exposed as very moderate; the race he won at Umberleigh last season was a nothing event and he has been tailed off without exception this season.

WALTER DE WODELAND – Much improved this season and caused a 33/1 shock in a Ladies Open at Charlton Horthorne and has subsequently ran with credit in two Hunter Chases; found the ground too soft on the first occasion but would have gone very close in a better race than this last time out had he not been brought down four from home; was handling the fast ground well that day and the one to beat if that experience hasn’t left any scars.

GLACIAL CALL – Looked a useful performer when rattling off a quick four-timer earlier this season, but not without her share of temperament and has been turned over at odds-on in her last two races, including at 1/8 in her Members last time. Has the raw ability to make an impression in this sphere but has questions to answer at present; may not get the soft lead she needs and is opposable at the current prices.

Conclusion – Glacial Call is an unappealing favourite on her debut over regulation fences; Brook Castle is well fancied but has quite a few pounds to find on overall form with Walter de Wodeland, who would probably have won at Newton Abbot last time but for an unfortunate experience at the fourth last.