victorchandler.com Chase 2010

2.35 Cheltenham
victorchandler.com Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £22,804

Picks: Taranis (each/way), Hey Big Spender (each/way)

Taranis: Horse of immense quality, as he has won the Ryanair Chase and the James Nicholson Chase, both coming nearly 4 years ago, and was brilliantly produced to land Argento Chase from a 3 year layoff; Ran well for a long way in the Hennessy before fading (fitness and maybe trip to blame) and holds an excellent chance having been dropped 7lbs for that here in less testing (albeit quality) field.

Hey Big Spender: Was really going places last year and romped to wins at Newbury (over Fistral Beach) and here on Trials Day; Didn’t quite go on from that after unseating in the Jewson (Fell behind Mad Max at Aintree), so really good effort to win at Carlisle on his return; Was going well for a long way before tiring in the Hennssy (the fastest run major race of the season so far) and is very interesting back at an ideal course and distance for him.

Tartak: Has the class for bigger events than this, having come fourth in the Melling Chase last season after a series of disappointing efforts; Reappeared with poor run in the Old Roan Chase and while he won the Peterbrough last time, he would have been second if Twist Magic had stayed up Breedzbreeze had the benefit of a run; Impossible to ignore from handicapping perspective although his jumping needs to improve.

Imsingingtheblues: Capable novice handicapper last season who looked like an outside contender for the Arkle when winning competitive handicap at Doncaster for Paul Nicholls and was probably feeling the effect of three excellent efforts for new yard when badly beaten over 2 miles last time here; Hard to see him having recovered from that effort.

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) would be very tough to beat in handicaps, but needs far more than this.

Mahogany Blaze: Thoroughly capable horse on his day who has been placed in very good races but has jumping frailties and this looks too much.

Can’t Buy Time: Given a vintage ride to land this last year after a series of disappointing efforts and only return here 1lb higher, largely due to another few rounds of disappointing efforts; This his ideal trip and no reason why he couldn’t run well.

Mister Mcgoldrick: One of most popular chasers in training, having been on the go for 14 years starting today, and was in sterling form when winning by 19 lengths last time (third in this last year); Could do anything and let’s hope he gets round fine.

Carole’s Legacy: Classy mare who was second to Quevga in the Mares Hurdle at the festival; Unexposed very fences, having won three of her four starts (other in a Mare’s Chase final); Impressive when beating Banjaxed Girl at Kempton last time and gets to race off a mark nearly 10lbs lower but was beaten off it last time she raced over fences and this is a very tough task.

Pickamus: Won three out of his four starts last season, making up into a very useful chaser; Hasn’t done nearly as well this year, and looks vulnerable off this mark in this company.

Door Boy: Won first two starts over fences, getting the better of Little Josh and Cappa Bleu at Aintree before winning comfortably giving away weight against vastly inferior opposition; Looked well beaten when falling in Jewson Novice’s Chase and while case can be made on some form, jumping cracked in Jewson; Pulled up in Paddy Power and this doesn’t look any easier.

Moon Over Miami: Unreliable customer who was gaining first win since 2007 when fortunate scorer at Ffos Las in November; Hard to fancy here even with an attractive mark as jumping will be tested.

Five Dream: Ran well to be sixth in the Galway Plate, and ran second in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen; Well beaten by Mathui at Ascot last time but wouldn’t be weighted out of things here with good rider on board.

Quito De Tresor: Has scored 4 times this year and had a previous career best in the book when romping home by 16 lengths at Stratford; Well beaten by Dave Dream when stepped up in class here and has it harder here.

Patman Du Charmil: Been out of form for ages and hard to fancy strongly here.

VERDICT: It’s hard not to fancy Tartak at the weights given his best efforts, but he was fortunate last time and his jumping under pressure still fails to convince totally. Carole’s Legacy should go well but has it harder than usual and the handicapper has been very lenient for dropping TARANIS 7lbs for not fully finishing in the Hennesssy and back over a more suitable trip, he should do well. HEY BIG SPENDER may have been tailed off when falling at the last in the Hennessy but he’s had a bit of time to get over that effort (fastest run 3 mile chase of the season so far) and is interesting at this trip if staying up.