3.25 Haydock
Betfair Chase (Registered As The Lancashire Chase) (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £112,660
Pick: What A Friend (win)
Atouchbetweenacara: Simply hasn’t fulfilled promise he showed when winning Grade 2 limited handicap and this asking too much of him.
Chief Dan George: Very useful over fences 2 season ago and stepped forward massively to win Veteran’s Handicap Chase at Doncaster and then William Hill Chase at Festival; Brave efforts both but this much tougher.
Imperial Commander: Marked himself as the new star of staying chasers when romping away with Gold Cup, beating Denman by 7 lengths having previously pushed Kauto Star to a nose here in last year’s renewal; Disappointing at Aintree but that best written off (tired horse) and could be near impossible to beat if figures are accurate (18lbs clear); Loves being fresh and will take all the beating.
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 confirmed revival with easy Charlie Hall Chase win; Every chance with fitness on side.
Planet Of Sound: Ran a couple of great races at Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals last season as a novice, finishing third in the Arkle; Continued in the same vein when landing the Haldon Gold Cup on his first start last year, before a series of disappointing runs followed by a career best when landing the Punchestown Gold Cup; That display impressive even with question marks and can go well here with stable in form, even If this race is harder.
Tidal Bay: Never really went on after hugely promising novice season but showed good promise over hurdles, winning the Cleeve; Failed to build on that with a lacklustre seventh at Cheltenham and while he should improve for his third at Wetherby, this looks too tough.
What A Friend: Impressive in his novice season, winning 3 out of 4 starts (not ready for the RSA at Cheltenham);Took giant steps forward on only 3 starts last season, starting with second to stablemate Denman in the Hennessy before landing Grade 1’s at Leopardstown and Aintree (where a below-form Imperial Commander unseated); Latter success has pushed him into Gold Cup picture and bold show possible here.
VERDICT: This looks like a penalty kick for Imperial Commander and based on form, he should turn up and win. Admittedly the same was said before Aintree last season (despite me picking a different horse), but this race will suit a lot more. While he has 18lbs in hand on official ratings, I don’t believe that to be the case whatsoever. Even allowing for the fact that Imperial Commander will be a fresher horse than at Aintree, I still believe that WHAT A FRIEND would have given him a big race had he stayed upright and is well capable of moving on from that, his Totesport Bowl win being only his seventh race over fences. Nacarat is a top class horse at his best; He looked at that level when winning at Wetherby even though this is much harder. Planet Of Sound is given the utmost respect on his Punchestown Gold Cup win but the race fell into his lap there, and this will be a much tougher test.
Looks a cracker.
ReplyDeleteOdds and ground will determine if I have a bet. If Naccarat can be run with some restraint it gets interesting. Wetherby he left plenty in hand unlike his suicidal dashes on occasion.
Love What a Friend (2 big wins for me) but threw away the Hennessey last year and was almost reluctant in Ireland. There are enough good animals here like Denman at Newbury if he opens the door he will not be allowed back in.
Planet of Sound is unexposed at trip. I cannot entirely write off that this is what Tidal Bay needs although suspect unless it's soft he's too one paced (Arkle win one of those things that defies explanation).