Hunter Chase Betting Service

Wed, May 26, 2010

Wetherby – Thursday, May 27th

FARMER FRANK – Useful sub-3m performer as he has proved when scoring over this sort of trip at both Towcester (heavy) and at Market Rasen (good) a couple of weeks ago. Especially impressive in the latter when he won easily from some underperforming rivals; comes into this race at the top of his game and likely to be tough to beat with his competent young partner taking off a valuable 7lbs.

BOW SCHOOL – Fairly useful novice Pointer for David Easterby in 2008 and went on to win a two-finisher novice chase for Howard Johnson over this course and distance the following year. Sold for 27,000 guineas subsequently and looked set for a successful campaign at this level when running Belem Ranger close at Musselburgh in February, but not as best in easy ground Points subsequently. The return to a shorter trip and faster ground will be right up his street, however, so dangerous to dismiss.

OVER TO JOE – Not the easiest to predict but has been in a good run of form recently, following up a win in moderate company at Sedgefield with a third and first at Easingwold. Clearly needs a short trip and goodish ground, so conditions here fine, but this is a stronger Hunter Chase than the won he landed and probably opposable on the overall balance of his form.

COTTAM PHANTOM – Only an ordinary performer back in 2008 and sat out the whole of the following campaign, but after a slow start to this season has suddenly improved dramatically, and landed the hat-trick in the fastest time of the day at Mordon a week and a half ago. Clearly loves forcing the pace on fast ground and although this is a much stiffer test, he is clearly in tremendous form and should not be underestimated.

LINE BALL – Ex-Irish; sole win since 2007 came in a 20 runner handicap hurdle at Cork a year ago and finished a fair third in a Sligo chase on his final outing over there, mainly racing over trips shorter than three miles. Made his GB debut in a Southwell Hunter Chase in April and went off favourite but took a tumble after less than a mile. Presumably unaffected by that spill and respected on his old form in Ireland, the main concern would be his ability to handle fastish ground. Stable did win this last year.

MADISON DE VONNAS – Hurdle winner a long time ago; Pointing form only ordinary and dangerous to read much into his remote second to Bob Hall in this race last year; has been struggling generally in Points this season and easily opposable in this company.

NIRVANA DU BOURG – Won a Grade Two in France four years ago but those glory days are long gone and a non-completer in Points this year, blatantly failing to stay a yard beyond 2m4f. Drop in trip will theoretically help but still can’t be fancied at all.

STRONG WELD – Fairly useful veteran and possesses some impressive looking recent form figures, but has been cleverly placed to find some weakish Club/Confined races and the form may not be all that strong. On the plus side, does have plenty of speed and clearly loves fastish ground so has got to be respected, but whether he will appreciate being taken on for the lead is another matter.

VITAL SPARK – Won two low grade chases on fastish ground a couple of years ago but struggling to find any sort of spark in Points this season, with his sole completion coming in his Members; the 16yo rider is making her debut under NH rules and has only ridden five times in public to date.

ZAFFMAN – Struggled badly in Irish Points after winning his Maiden on heavy and it has been a similar story over here; little chance in this grade.

Conclusion – This should be fast and furious with Strong Weld and Cottam Phantom both confirmed front-runners; that could pose a problem for both of them and could set up the race for the likes of Farmer Frank, who may have the most to fear from Bow School.