Hunter Chase Betting Service

Tue, May 25, 2010

Huntingdon – Tuesday, May 25th

BLAZE AHEAD – Landed a 2m6f Hunter Chase at Towcester earlier this season but only ordinary form otherwise and was readily brushed aside by Kadount in an ordinary contest at Folkestone last time; races from a pro yard and will be popular because of that, but likely to find at least one too good in what looks a fair contest.

DELIGHTFUL CLICHÉ – Useful Ladies Open horse at his best but does have off days (as he showed at Higham and Horseheath in April), but has done little wrong of late and plenty to like about the way he travelled for today’s rider at Folkestone last time, eventually winning narrowly after idling badly on the run-in. Faces a slightly stiffer task today but conditions will suit and likely to be in the shake-up.

TIKRAM – Cheltenham Festival hero back in the day (2m5f) and won this race last year off the back of two fair placed efforts; tailed off in two outings so far this season, albeit in stronger events than this, but basically doesn’t look the force of old and may be worth taking on despite conditions appearing to be ideal.

BELUGA – Modest performer at this level and finished miles behind Blaze Ahead at Folkestone last time; the veteran owner is little more than a passenger at times and readily opposed in this grade.

CELESTIAL DRAGON – Generally well held in Hunter Chases in the past, although he did finish a fair second to Itzacliche at Market Rasen last year; seemingly much improved having teamed up with this rider the last twice, winning a Tweseldown Intermediate and a Holnicote Club race. Has a bit to find on the best of his form but clearly in good heart, will handle conditions and no surprise if he runs well.

GREEK STAR – Finally got off the mark when winning on fast ground at High Easter in April (kept going at the one pace to catch faltering rivals near the line) but limitations thoroughly exposed in better company since including when being beaten 46L at Folkestone last time.

IT PLAYS ITSELF – Extremely lightly raced type; looked useful when winning twice in 07 but failed to finish the following season and promptly disappeared. Resurfaced in an Ashorne Confined in which he only showed a modicum of promise; getting on in years now and his chance of another win has probably gone.

JOLLY BOYS OUTING – Challenging ride but looked to have improved when winning a big field Intermediate at Horseheath on his comeback, but it has all gone wrong in Hunter Chases since and his sole completion in three races came when tailed off at Exeter. Can’t be fancied at present.

PIRATE DEPP – Confirmed his 2009 promise when winning a bad 2m4f Maiden at North Carlton back in February but has looked a blatant non-stayer over 3m in Restricteds since, so rather strange to see him in this particular race; can only be watched.

SPANCHIL HILL – Has gone well around here in the past and fast ground definitely a plus, but showed nothing on his sole Hunter Chase outing this year and hard to know what to make of the form of his efforts under today’s inexperienced rider in novice riders’ company since; has the raw ability to run into a place but probably best opposed.

COOLERS QUEST – Modest good ground chase winner back in the day and missed 09; has shown perfectly adequate form since returning from a break and no disgrace when a distant third to Ask Again and Turthen at Wincanton last year; very onepaced and an unlikely winner, but could well plod into a place at a price.

RED IN BED – Would have been a very poor third over this course and distance last time had Native Bob not fallen at the last; finished extremely weakly that day and is essentially a moderate non-stayer whose limitations are likely to be thoroughly exposed in this company.

Conclusion – Difficult to go overboard about any of these; Tikram is by far the best horse in the race but is not getting any younger and has been tailed off in two outings this season; Blaze Ahead is in decent heart but is fairly easy to beat in this grade, so that should leave the door open for Delightful Cliché, but his occasional habit of throwing in the towel tempers enthusiasm a bit. Presuming he won’t be withdrawn for the third Hunter Chase in a row, Celestial Dragon looks likely to run well, with Coolers Quest the best of the outsiders.