Racing Plus Chase 2012

3.05 Kempton

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

Winner £56,950

Advice: 1 pt each/way Deep Purple (9/1 Bet Victor)

 

Planet Of Sound: Arrived as a top class staying chaser when winning Punchestown Gold Cup; Good reappearance when third in Betfair Chase before being held up by breathing problem, which explains his disappointment in King George of 2011; Excellent run on first run since in Hennessy, when he was a staying on second; Runs off same mark today and should go well for yard (albeit one considered to be out of form) with excellent record in this race.

 

Deep Purple: Class act on his day, as shown by his 6 length Peterborough win after his Charlie Hall win (both two years ago) and back to that form for the first time since when winning London National in December on reappearance; 88 day break since should suit and no reason why he can’t go well.

Nacarat: Been below par this term but valid excuses for all and mark of 154 is more than good enough for him considering his impressive Grade 1 win at Aintree when last on top form; Holds a good chance at the weights.

Fiendish Flame: Front runner who finally had everything click when romping away with handicap hurdle and then again over fences on New Year’s Day; 10lbs rise for that fair enough but this a better race and sure to have company upfront thanks to Nacarat, while he’s not a certain stayer either.

Hector’s Choice: Has been steadily progressive this season and nothing wrong with form of his last two starts, finishing runner up to Calgary Bay and then second behind Tatenen at Ascot last time; Way he stayed on suggests this trip not a problem and could be right there at finish.

Consigliere: First run at three miles after Wincanton romp when only a couple of lengths behind According to Pete in gruelling Peter Marsh; Better ground might have helped him that day but only the one win on anything but soft in his career which is question mark and gone up a ton for his easy win two starts back.

 

Royal Charm: Looked to have a serious future over fences when winning twice at Exeter over just further of 2 miles but disappointed at Aintree in April, when looking as if he’d had his stamina stretched (made a big mistake before the cross fence); Proven a serious disappointment since then, and significant market watch needed if he’s to be asked to bounce back.

Sarando: Going as well as anything when falling at the cross fence in the Hennnessy but lifeless efforts since then have seen new headgear applied; 8lbs lower than at Newbury but can only be watched unless going notably well in running.

Michel Le Bon: Created a good impression when winning two of his three novice hurdles (one by 21 lengths) as a prelude to chasing, which started in exceptional style when cantering around Newbury unopposed; Leg trouble kept him out since then but kept in the highest regard by his trainer and went really well for a long way until blowing up thanks to lack of fitness; Supposedly has the ability and mark of 144 possibly lenient for one so unexposed. 

Mount Oscar: Second in this off the same mark last year and ran a good race with regards to his prospectws for this when staying on into third at Wincanton; Interesting enough here.

VERDICT: Planet Of Sound and Nacarat are very well handicapped for horses who have held their own in graded company, but so is DEEP PURPLE, who won the Sandown National with a lot in hand last time and shouldn’t be hampered too much by a drop in trip. He looks worth an each/way at least, with Michel Le Bon, Hector’s Choice and Mount Oscar all holding the ability to run big races if all goes well for them.