Amlin 1965 Chase 2010

2.05 Ascot
Amlin 1965 Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £28,505

Pick: Albertas Run (win)

Albertas Run: Past RSA winner who was impressive when scoring by 7 lengths in last at the beginning of last season; Did very well with ideal conditions, coming second in Ascot Chase before winning Ryanair and Melling Chases in good style; Came back with well beaten fourth in Old Roan but will be much sharper today; Main player.

Masterminded: Has proven truly outstanding in 2 mile chasers, putting up one of great modern displays when cruising home in Champion Chase of 2008 and proving dominant for best part of year since; Rib injury was thought to be reason behind below par reappearance in Connaught Chase last year and was widely expected to be Champion Chaser for third time, but never able to get in race from 2 out (quick ground blamed); Had wind op and clear of these at best, although he has never won over 2 miles and while class act, cannot be sure of how he will run.



Chaininbar: Had a good season last year, with a wide margin win at the Grand National Festival (15 lengths) and also a win at Newbury (both valuable events): Disappointed at times too, and has followed that this season with good second on return followed by failing to Complete in the Haldon Gold Cup; This is a tough event for him to run well in following on from a well beaten 7th last time (up against Tataniano and Forpadydeplasterer)



Panjo Bere: Last win came off 147 in handicap company here, getting a stone off Imsiningtheblues; Hasn’t improved from that and stiff task here.

Imsingingtheblues: Capable novice handicapper last season who looked like an outside contender for the Arkle when winning competitive handicap at Doncaster for Paul Nicholls; Was going very well on first start for David Pipe in Old Roan but well beaten in Haldon Gold Cup and lot on his plate based on that effort.

Kinkeel: This surely comes too soon after being pulled up only 4 days ago.

Lennon: Pulled up behind Chaninbar last season and has been well beaten on most graded starts.


VERDICT: It would be truly wonderful to see Masterminded return to his best and there’s every chance that he could following a wind operation but he can’t be predicted right now and the excuse of quick ground in the Champion Chase is an uneasy one. He has never won over further than 2 miles before. ALBERTAS RUN was dominant around this trip in the spring and could well take the beating if he has improved from his opening run of the season and maybe well worth a shot at overturning Masterminded, with the trip in his favour and fitness on his side.