Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase 2011

1.45 Wetherby

Betfair. Don't Settle For Less Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £22,780

Advice: 0.5 pt win Always Right (4/1 general),  0.5 pt each/way Knockara Beau (6/1 general) 

Midnight Chase: Has improved 36lb on official ratings in last 12 months, winning six of his last seven outings before hugely creditable fifth in Gold Cup; Big chance based on that form and should be better for reappearance run (moderate 4th when fell 2 out), but worry that trainer said he was struggling because he “hated the soft ground” and in these conditions, that has to be a worry.

Wayward Prince: As solid a chasing campaign as you’d hope for last season, when winning three chases in impressive fashion before flying home late in the RSA Chas; Over the top at Aintree but that no excuse for dismal Hennessy run since and with no soft ground wins, passed over despite tempting booking of Timmy Murphy.

 

Sarando: Made a poor start over fences when sixth at Plumpton but found his preferred style of running when a wide margin winner of 4 runner novice chase and even better when close second to now Gold Cup contender Quito De La Roque; Reappearance win deeply impressive and in no way finished when falling at cross fence in the Hennessy; Interesting.

Always Right: Improved hand over first last season, following up easy Kelso win with excellent efforts in better company, when following up at Doncaster and then coming third in Scottish National; Great return when grading out finish to competitive race at Kelso, and with ground and trip no problem, should go well.

Knockara Beau: Hard to find a more consistent horse over hurdles and chase form isn’t that bad either (still 5lbs below last winning mark over fences); Excellent effort at Cheltenham last time and likes cut in the ground, so of obvious interest here.

Halley: Would be the class act in this line up based on his all the way win in Prix Maurice Gillois, a race which has been won by Long Run and Kauto Stone in its last two editions; Should have an impact here based on that run but Cheltenham return was desperately disappointing and this no easier.

Lackamon: Useful handicapper who relishes soft ground, with two of his three wins this year on ground that rode testing (although described good to soft); Additions of 10lbs claimer on board makes a big difference.

 

Neptune Equester: Thrives for a strong test of stamina, as shown by his win here in Listed chase last October, and first suitable opportunity over fences since came with strong staying win at Haydock; Of obvious interest here.

Merigo: Of obvious interest based on his Scottish National second but seems to be trained with only that race in mind and maybe best left alone until then unless market speaks strongly in his favour.

The Hollinwell: Looked to be well treated a year or two ago but then lost way a little and without a win since January, although he gave Hey Big Spender a good race at Newcastle two starts back; Passed over.

King Fontaine: On a hot streak earlier this year, winning two ay Haydock in impious style, looking as if he could make into a strong National candidate; Well beaten in big event and pulled up both stars since, so hard to think that he’s going to be taking this from out of the weights.

Helpston: Has improved to land back to back races the last twice, and form of those contests decent for the level; This a deep race to start handicapping over fences in and now 7lbs out of the weights.

 

According To Pete: Shaped as if he was slowly on the way back when third at Kelso in October but disappointed next time behind Neptune Euqester and not sure he’s able to give his true best anymore.

VERDICT: Midnight Chase was very interesting here despite his big weight, but with the ground supposed to be soft it’s advised to look elsewhere given that his trainer reckoned that he “hated” the soft ground last time out at Down Royal. With the ground likely to be riding soft it makes sense to look for proven performers and stayers on the surface, and none make more appeal than ALWAYS RIGHT, who could improve physically for his reappearance win at Kelso, and KNOCKARA BEAU, who ran his best race for a good while when second at Cheltenham last time out. Best of the rest would be Neptune Equester, although he more testing the better for him in a race of this class.