Victor Chandler Chase (Registered As The Clarence House Chase)

2.25 Ascot
Victor Chandler Chase (Registered As The Clarence House Chase) (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £59,146

Pick: Petit Robin (each/way)

Crack Away Jack: Classy hurdles performer (fourth in Champion Hurdle) who is unexposed over fences, having won on debut before two good efforts upped in Grade; Still has potential to go foar in this sphere but 13 month absence may count against him here.

Gauvain: Went off the boil after winning a Grade 2 Novice Chase 2 years ago, falling to make an impact at Cheltenham and Aintree festival; Won his next 2 starts before being put on side-lines; Showed he retinas all old ability and more when beating Forpadydeplasterer and Tataniano with ease at Open Meeting although he ran well below that form when fifth in the Tingle Creek last time and needs to be back to best here.

I’m So Lucky: Made rapid improvement last year culminating in career best Celebration Chase win; Probably just about bettered that with front running fourth in Tingle Creek at Cheltenham last time, and may well be harder to catch on this track.

Kalahari King: Made fine return last season when winning valuable 2m handicap chase at Doncaster, so disappointing that he was easily beaten first time out this season(not given hard race); Well beaten in Tingle Creek and Jumpers Bumper and can’t be backed until he shows old ability intact.

Mad Max: Has made a very solid start to life over fences, and was running a big race until a crashing error two out in the Arkle; Appeared to be suited by longer trips when hacking up at Aintree, but weak finishes in the Paddy Power and December Gold Cup give impression that this track and trip will suit; Interesting contender.

Masterminded: Has proven truly outstanding in 2 mile chases, 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 looked back to best when romping home in Amilin 1965 Chase, confirming that impression when trashing 5 reopposing rivals in Tingle Creek last time.

Petit Robin: Very capable chaser on his day as he showed when winning Desert Orchid Chase over Christmas last year; Hasn’t really held form since but has been second in this for the past two years and ran a fantastic race to be second in the Tingle Creek last time out, having been infront for a long way; May well have gotten away with it had he gone a little easier, comes to a flatter track, and yard are in red – hot form, so massive contender.
Somersby: Impressed on 4 starts novice chasing last season, winning Henry the II Chase in supremly impressive style and running second in the Arkle and at Aintree afterwards; Disappointing that he couldn’t win the Haldon Gold Cup off very favourable weight first time out even allowing for fact he should improve for strong 2m round here and fitness (very strong pace in Haldon Gold Cup tested that); Ran on from miles back to be third in the Tingle Creek, and has good claims again.

Thico Polos: Showed a lot of promise last year in decent Novice Chases, (looked very tired when falling after running well for a long way in the Feltham & Second to Punchestowns & French Opera after that); Ran great race to win Haldon Gold Cup and was still going well when falling in the Paddy Power, and ran a good second to Cornas at Sandown last time; Much more needed here.

VERDICT: At the prices, Masterminded makes no appeal, but he does seem to have a vice like grip on the race. At the prices, PETIT ROBIN looks like one of the each/way bets of the season. His yard are in great form and he’s got every chance of repeating his effort last time around an easier track. Somserby and Crack Away Jack are promising horses, while both Gauvain and I’m So Lucky could out run his odds massively.