Hunter Chase Betting Service

Wed, Jun 2, 2010

Cartmel – Wednesday June 2nd

FAIR QUESTION – Useful mud-loving long-distance handicapper (rated 139 at best) who slammed Areyacoddinmee by 30L in a bog at Cartmel on his debut in this sphere. Never going well on quicker ground at Cheltenham last time; front-running style will be suited to this track and has the form to win, but would not want the ground to quicken appreciably.

AREYACODDINMEE – Has a habit of dropping himself right out and then finishing with a flourish, as he showed when scoring a remarkable win at Catterick (passed nearly half a dozen horses after the last) and when just failing to get up for third last time at Kelso, much to the annoyance of this correspondent who backed him at 100-1! No doubts that the extra-long run-in will be ideal, but softish ground wouldn’t and chances are that he may simply get too far behind around here.

DELIGHTFUL CLICHÉ – Consistent sort but finds very little off the bridle as he proved when a disappointing fourth after travelling well at Huntingdon last time out. Just managed to hang on at Folkestone on quickish ground the time before; this is a stronger race and likely to find a couple too good.

OPTIMISTIC HARRY – Inconsistent type who enjoyed Sedgefield’s undulations when scoring a 28-1 surprise there in April, although was probably lucky as leader Floreana did a dirty stop at the last. Nowhere near that sort of form subsequently including in another Hunter Chase; trip and track should suit but ground may not, and is simply too unreliable to fancy in this company.

PROUD ANDEES – Two Hunter Chase wins include this contest two years ago on good/soft; season so far has been a chapter of accidents – in command when dumping Sue Sharratt at Tabley and travelling well when slipping up and injuring Richard Burton at Dingley. Seems to retain all ability and conditions will be fine, so no surprise if he bounces back.

DOC ROW – Mainly consistent in handicaps this term although unable to cope with a rise to Class Two company last time out, and his sole foray into Hunter Chase company resulted in a fair second to the useful Always Right at Kelso. Stays this far and ground will be fine, only real negative is his poor run on his sole previous outing here (favourite).

OAKLANDS LUIS – Fairly useful form in this company up to 2008 but not as good since and has developed a temperamental streak to boot. Given a strong ride when landing a Hutton Rudby Open on heavy (took nearly seven and a half minutes) but a tailed off last in the Grimthorpe next time and ran off the course on his most recent outing. Hard to fancy after his recent efforts.

THISTLECRAFT – Not beaten far at Uttoxeter last time but generally easy to beat in Hunter Chases this term and often ruins his chance with jumping errors; this is tougher than the races he usually contests and fairly easy to oppose today.

THUNDER HAWK – Capable sort on his day but lightly raced this term and has been beaten 19L+ in a couple of Hunter Chases including when looking fairly well in at the weights in a handicap at Aintree last time; difficult to see him bouncing back especially taking into account he finished tailed off in this race twelve months ago.

Conclusion – Proud Andees has yet to complete this season but it hasn’t all been his fault and as long as his Dingley spill hasn’t left mental scars he looks sure to go well on a course he has won over in the past. Fair Question looks the main danger but drying ground would be a negative. Areyacoddinmee looks likely to run on late as usual and may snatch a place.