Racing Post Chase 2011

3.00 Kempton

Racing Post Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner £57,010

Picks: Nacarat and Quinz (each/way)

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; Performed with credit when attempting to lead all the way in the Betfair Chase and trying same tactics in King George; Been aimed at this race all season and cracking chance.

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 Hennessy (the fastest run major race of the season so far) and back to form when winning at Warwick last time and not discounted.

Tatenen: Seemingly revitalised for step up in trip and switch in yards when turning competitive handicap into a procession at Ascot last time out; Well worth the hike in ratings but now must handle massive mark and big step up in class.

Free World: Very much sort to come into his own as a chaser; Made encouraging return here in good race but well beaten last time and this trip not sure to suit, so others preferred.

Quinz: Has been transformed for decent going over fences this season, winning by 23 and 14 lengths respectively on his 2 starts this term; Lost nothing in defeat when third behind Time For Rupert at Cheltenham and can go close here.

Bakebenscher; Won 2 of 4 starts over fences last season and was always going to struggle in such a good race coming back from his stress fracture first time out this season; Ran creditably in both starts since, coming third behind two classy types at Cheltenham and giving 7lbs and beating to RSA Chase hope Definity at Exeter last time; Serious player after that effort but only had 13 days to recover and handicap is bigger test of jumping.

Crescent Island: Third in the Jewson two years ago; Reappeared in style with win but trip (never won over this distance), bounce factor, Temperament (idles badly when left clear) and track (hasn’t run here) are all reasons to oppose.

Razor Royale: Always been there or thereabouts at this level and just got better of Nacarat in this last season before good fourth in Scottish National; Not been in best form since but that forgiven if he’s been aimed at this race (presumably the case; not run since November).

Mount Oscar: Lightly raced for a 12 – y- o and impressed when winning a really competitive handicap chase at Newbury for the second year running; Harder to fancy after being thrashed by Fistral Beach last time.

Fistral Beach: Fell at first when favourite for this last year at the second, and has only run twice since (breathing op inbetween); That seemed to have done the trick when coming home clear of I’m A Legend at Wincaton and every chance here.

Piraya: Although tricky to win with, has probably matched his last winning form twice in defeat this season already; Well beaten by Tatenen at Ascot last time and seems set to be one of the also rans here.

Mostly Bob: Progressive novice who slammed opposition in very attractive style at Doncaster last time; Gets good racing weight even if up 11lbs in weights here and comes from stable with good record in the race (take no notice of fact that stable jockey has picked Quinz)

Sagalyrique: Bettered form for Alan King in winning his last two starts for McCain since being fitted with a tongue strap; Strongly fancied to make it a hat – trick here but far tougher opposition tempers enthusiasm, for all that yard are on a hot streak.

Polyfast: Won at the King George meeting last year before a winless period which ended last June (when he beat Franchoek by 10 lengths) before a poor run in the Summer at Market Rasen; Repeated that success over C&D here last time but step up in trip may stop his chances.

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 has continually cracked under pressure; Pulled up in Paddy Power and while switch of tracks may help him he’s on a poor run of form.

Ringaroses: Hasn’t looked a natural over fences (or anywhere nearly as good as he was over hurdles) despite holding a 50% strike rate; Can be fancied on some form and usually finds for pressure but not fancied.

Safari Adventures: Career best when winning by 19 lengths at Aintree in the summer and has come back to that sort of form with second in good race at Cheltenham and again at Ayr; Game second to Polyfast last time and has it all to do to make mark in better race.

VERDICT: Given that NACARAT has been aimed just for this, it’s extremely encouraging hat he’s already won the Charlie Hall Chase this season and has come fourth in the King George and Betfair Chases. QUINZ is the biggest threat based on his excellent form this season, while favourite Fistral Beach holds excellent claims but so do many in this field.