William Hill Winter Festival - Feltham Chase

1.50 Kempton
williamhill.com Feltham Novices' Chase (In Memory Of Nigel Clark) (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £31,356

Pick: Loosen My Load (win)

Aiteenthirtythree: Showed a lot of promise last season when coming third, second and second again over hurdles and broke his maiden over smaller obstacles when showing improve d attitude at Cheltenham; Made impressive start over fences when winning Grade 2 by 18 lengths but unfortunate demise of Tell Massini left him with nothing to beat; He will be tested more here.

Billie Magern: Made hay in the summer jumping circuit over fences, winning 4 times on the bounce; Has since struggled to really hold his own in some good races, having been well beaten behind Chicago Grey and then coming fifth at the Open meeting.

Cois Farraig: Performed with credit when second to high class Nicky Henderson pair Lush Life and Oscar Whisky, and jumped well and shaped as if he’d be better for the race when third on chase debut at Ascot; Took Grade 2 Chase at Newbury on his last start but was fortunate that Sprit River fell and Celestial Halo didn’t fancy it; Can’t be ruled out totally but this again will be harder.

Fredo: Has run twice and come second both times on his first 2 starts over fences; Ran with credit to get close to Tell Massini on his debut, and did the same behind reopposing Master Of The Hall at Ascot last time; Flattered by his proximity to latter named rival last time as he did bank the last very hard and set to struggle.

Fruity O’Rooney: Looked as if he was capable of transferring his smart hurdle form over hurdles to fences when winning in easy style over 2m4f at Fontwell; Went chasing but unable to land a blow in big Haydock Hurdle; Hard to really rate, and likely to struggle against better types.

Golan Way: Very smart hurdler who has always had scope for fences, and translated that in easy debut win; Pitched in at the deep end for a Graduation chase and held his own, coming fourth behind Riverside Theatre (won well last time); How well he does over 3 miles is open to debate, but he’s got class to be involved.

Hell’s Bay: Ran with credit when giving class hurdler Time For Rupert 5lbs when second in very good novice chase at Cheltenham Open Meeting; Appeared to excel himself that day and showed effects of that draining run when well beaten third at Newbury.


Loosen My Load: Made very smart start to life under rules last year, winning his first three races before running a good race on his first start over fences behind Fosters Cross; Won Grade 2 over hurdles here a year ago but struggled in face of stiff tasks; Has been flawless in 3 from 3 over fences though, running away with Graded event; Travelled strongly in strong Grade 2 at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting but was tapped for toe in homes straight (under penalty); Step up in trip may help him, especially on a track such as Kempton and has the class to be getting seriously involved here.

Master Of The Hall: 3 from 5 since appearing in Britain, and looked promising when winning at Sandown and Newbury on his first two starts over hurdle; Wasn't himself when last seen over hurdles in February but made a good chasing debut (last fence error apart) at Ascot; Has scope to go far chasing.

On Borrowed Wings: Improved a lot for switch to this yard over hurdles last season (won twice, second once, and beaten into eighth at Cheltenham Festival); Made a winning chasing debut at Stratford and took advantage of below par runs to take second at Newbury behind Cois Farraig; Kempton suits but hard to see form reversal.

VERDICT: A classy entry here, and while the winner’s record in the RSA Chase isn’t enviable, this year’s winner will merit serious consideration. Many will see Aiteenthirtythree as the standout but he has a lot more on his plate than last time, and LOOSEN MY LOAD may well be much better suited by Kempton around three miles than Cheltenham last time, and has the class to be involved. Master Of The Hall is the biggest threat.