Today's Racing - 3rd December 2011

It’s a feast already for jumps fans with Champion Chaser Sizing Europe set to appear in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, and the Railway fences also get the going over from potential top novice Al Ferof in the newly upgraded Henry VII Chase there.

The National Fences could be seen as the icing on the cake for the enthusiasts, with the first real National Trial being run over the famous course in the shape of the Becher Chase (2.10) at Aintree. It’s been a race which has become dominated by certain yards over the past few seasons, notably Dessie Hughes, who won it two years running before last year, when he didn’t have a runner.

Rare Bob, so impressive when winning a Grade A handicap chase at Leopardstown in January before then unseating when looking sure to take a hand in a Listed handicap chase on Grand National day, holds quite a few similarities to those two (solid handicappers who border on Graded class given the right conditions) and with a nice reappearance in Down Royal’s Champion Chase behind him.

Dessie Hughes charge can run off his best mark (the one which saw him challenging on his last visit to the course) this Saturday and he looks well worth supporting each way, with a lack of experience not worrying given 5 of the previous six winners before Hello Bud having their first taste of these fences, and there’s also the added bonus of him meeting most of the trends here.

13 year old veteran and last year’s winner Hello Bud will be extremely popular following a good blowout over this trip but it’s hard not to think that Niche Market (above) isn’t at least as appealing. Switched to Paul Nicholls’s yard straight after winning the Irish National for a target at the Aintree equivalent, that plan hasn’t quite come off yet, but he still showed the same vigour when fifth in last year’s renewal (not to mention the Hennessy too) and with a tune up from Ascot under his belt, he should be more than capable of going close for a yard which has a good record in this race. There are many horses all capable of going well in this but these two appeal most from this perspective, with both having a lot going for them in one form or another.

Staying at Aintree, Nacarat should be upto winning the Listed handicap chase (2.45) with something in hand if able to recover his best form. A Grade 1 performer ever since his Racing Post Chase romp, Tom George’s performer came right when it mattered in his Totesport Bowl romp over C&D in April. He might have disappointed some when fourth in the Charlie Hall Chase but he’ll come on for that and with his only serious rival on form (Master Of The Hall) coming here without a run (in any case he has something to make up on form). Tamrinbleu evidently still retains a lot of talent based on his comeback but we have to believe that he won’t bounce now.

Aintree specialist Frankie Figg (below) is sure to be popular for Paul Nicholls in the Grand Sefton Chase and anyone looking to play at the race should surely have him in his portfolio following his comeback effort when looking as if he could play a big part on his seasonal debut at Sandown before then fading badly due to fitness. Tony McCoy eased him down to a walk (which suggests he needed it particularly badly) and off just a 4lbs higher mark than for last year, he should take the beating again with his best partner Brian Hughes. It’s a competitive renewal but he’s the one they all have to beat.  

 

Stewarts House is becoming a rapidly popular alternative to the favourite and it’s not hard to see why – the drop in trip from Cheltenham should really do him some good – but the value seems to have gone from him and Santa’s Son too, despite his 4lbs turnaround with Nikola, who was a good second in this last year and reappeared with a battling win in a handicap chase here over 3 miles. That should have put him in good shape for this and he makes more appeal than Linney, who finished legless in a weak handicap chase at Down Royal when last seen. He should improve for a test like this put others are preferred.

Moving back to Sandown, and Cantlow is given one last chance in the Pertemps Qualifier (1.25). A runner up in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices Hurdle, Paul Webber’s charge travelled well when fourth behind Restless Harry in the Grade 2 John Smith’s Hurdle. That was a big ask on his seasonal debut and on just his 5th start over hurdles, so it was a shame to see him travel so well before dropping out like a stone. A flatter track (along with a drop in trip) should suit and a 4lbs drop in the weights should also help his cause, and the 12/1 that he can bounce back is taken. The same comments apply to Global Power, but there’s less reason for him to suddenly bounce back to his best.

The London National is the last race of the day but it’s also a strong renewal with Deep Purple heading the weights, and Meanus Dandy the betting.  Do It For Dalkey and Major Malarkey will have their supporters but the one that carries most intrigue is Any Currency, last seen coming second behind the massive improver Midnight Chase over a year ago at Cheltenham. That form has worked out magnificently since, with the winner going onto score again and come fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Junior going onto score by 17 lengths at the Cheltenham Festival.  There are many ifs, buts and maybe’s but if Martin Kelighley’s chaser is ready to go then he could take the beating.

David Pipe’s Master Overseer made an impressive return when winning well over hurdles here and with physical improvement for that run behind him, along with his favoured heavy ground, he should go very close to winning here – and earning a penalty for the Welsh National in the process.

Advice

1 pt each/way Rare Bob, 2.10 Aintree, (10/1 SkyBet)

1 pt each/way Niche Market, 2.10 Aintree (8/1 general)

3 pts win Nacarat, 2.45 Aintree (11/10 general)

1 pt win Frankie Figg, 3.20 Aintree (5/1 Ladbrokes, Hills)

1 pt each/way Nikola, 3.20 Aintree (8/1 general)

1 pt each/way Cantlow, 1.25 Sandown, (12/1 general)

1 pt win Any Currency, 3.40 Sandown, (11/2 Hills)

1 pt win Master Overseer, 2.05 Chepstow (10/3 general)