bet365 Charlie Hall Chase 2010

3.25 Wetherby
bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £57,010

Picks: Barbers Shop (win), Knockara Beau (each/way)

Deep Purple: Very progressive chase at beginning of last season, following up wide margin win in Scottish Champion Chase with hard fought success in last year’s renewal of this race; Jumped rivals into ground when winning Peterborough Chase and has had has excuses since (Bled in the King George and was short of room in Ryanair); Well over the top in Melling Chase but likely to run a big race in reappearance.

Knockara Beau: Tough and consistent hurdler who posted a huge new best when fifth in the Ballymore hurdler at the Cheltenham festival; Hasn’t posted a bad effort over fences yet and based on his form (just behind Burton Port in 2 big races last season) could make big impression when fresh.

Calgary Bay: Showed some immense promise in his novice chasing season before going well off the boil; Was seriously impressive when landing Doncaster handicap but well beaten in Gold Cup and Totesport Bowl since, and not likely to improve enough to win this.

Ollie Magern: Has been a model of consistency over past few runs and battled hard in Charlie Hall Chase but was well beaten by Deep Purple last year; Has since run well as usual, and sure to be going from the front again, but this a lot to be asking of him at 12 years old.

Barbers Shop: Rapid improver and made huge strides on his way to fishing seventh in the Gold Cup 2 years ago; Although he wasn’t disgraced on that occasion, it did raise stamina doubts that were hardly put to bed when fourth in Hennessey; Ran well enough again when third in King George but his Ryanair run leaves him with a lot to find (pulled up in Punchestown Gold Cup);l Yet to announce himself at top table but good record fresh and very well weighted here.

Nacarat: Impressed on first foray into Grade 1 company when nearly making all the running in the Melling Chase after a romp in the Racing Post chase; Went off boil since but has slowly came back into some sort of form afterwards and every chance here if he can get an uncontested lead, although that will be very tough with Ollie Magern in the field.

That’s Rhythm: Wide margin winner of Bangor handicap chase but this likely to prove too far for him.

The Tother One: Quickly made up into very smart chaser after a lay-off, coming arguably unlucky second in Badger Ales Trophy and behind The Packadge at Cheltenham; Ruined his chances by jumping badly a lot last season and while he’s likely to run well off a handy weight this opposition is tough and jumping a big worry; Stamina will help.

VERDICT: One of the most intriguing renewals of this race for a while. Last year’s winner Deep Purple should go well but having to give away 4lbs to a closely matched field won’t help him. Nacarat was coming back to form last season and will be hard to beat if getting a lead, but he’s incredibly reliant on going right handed and in any case, Ollie Magern will race him all the way, meaning he will have to burn him out or vice versa. BARBERS SHOP has yet to announce himself at the top table fully band has a stamina doubt or two but he’s tremendously well weighted in relation to a few here and doesn’t suffer for lack of fitness or jumping errors. The Other One will love the stamina test on offer tomorrow but sloppy jumping may well cost him again in this. One to keep an eye on is KNOCKARA BEAU, who will have liked the break he got last season and is with an each/way flyer if one or two aren’t on their game.