Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase 2011

3.20 Wetherby

Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5yo+) Winner £56,950

Advice: 1 pt win Diamond Harry (5/2 general)

Nacarat: Confirmed revival after poor run of form with clear cut in this last year & Performed with credit when attempting to lead all the way in the Betfair Chase and trying same tactics in King George/Racing Post Chase, but didn’t see out his race; Entirely different story when leading all the way in Totesport Bowl latest (main rivals disappointed; Easy lead) before Punchestown blowout; Rates a big player in attempt for follow up.

Diamond Harry: Only beaten by Miakel D’Augenet as a novice hurdler, and slammed Burton Port giving him a stone in weight over brush hurdles; Quickly turned to chasing after coming solid third behind Big Bucks in Long Walk (rescheduled) and impressed majorly when winning on his debut, but made mistakes in scrappy win here, before error strewn round in the RSA Chase (which came too soon for him) saw him pulled up; Only run once since, when imperious in winning the Hennessy Gold Cup, travelling all over the winner; Off since with injury but known to run very well fresh and should go close here.

Poquelin: Consistent as ever last season although he didn’t live up to tag of favouritism in Ryanair Chase for second season running (albeit his efforts beforehand justifying that favouritism); More than capable of landing such an event but longer trip an unknown.

Weird Al: Unbeaten over fences as a novice, having marked himself down a major RSA Chase candidate before injury with 2 impressive wins at Cheltenham before winning Towton Novice’s Chase over C&D; Came back from injury to dead heat with Little Josh in excellent run considering that he was running over a trip too short (2m4f) and was giving 6lbs to the Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Little Josh; Only eighth in Hennessy and then pulled up in Gold Cup, but foolish to assume he can’t improve and get back to best; Market signals crucial.

Chicago Grey: Developed into a really smart novice chaser last season, winning 3 races including the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham; Getting into things when unseating as favourite in handicap chase at Cheltenham latest, but this should be too hard for him if all run to form.

Time For Rupert: Quickly transformed into one of leading staying hurdlers of last season, coming second in the Cleeve and World Hurdles; Looked a fencing natural when bolting up on two chase starts before disappointing at Cheltenham Festival, although that should be readily forgiven (unfit for the race and broke blood vessel); Plenty of improvement to come although this yet stiffer test.

Acrai Rua: Not much in his form to suggest that he could be winning this.

Chief Dan George: Not going badly before falling in the William Hill Chase at the Festival and did his connections proud when finishing Grand National.

VERDICT: A top quality renewal. Last year’s winner Nacarat now has to give the weight away to defend his title, although that won’t put many off if he’s at his best. RSA Chase blowout Time For Rupert should also be popular but Hennessy winner DIAMOND HARRY will be suited down to the ground by this sort of race and can improve his top notch record when fresh.