Betfred Bowl Chase 2012

3.05 Aintree

Betfred Bowl Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)

Advice: 3 pts win, 4 pts place, Riverside Theatre (7/2 Ladbrokes, 4/6 Bet365)  

Burton Port: One of most progressive and probably underrated novice chasers of 2 years ago, winning 5 times (including the December, Reynoldstown and Mildmay Chases) and coming second in the RSA Chase; Excellent run when second in the Hennessy behind Diamond Harry but really jumped back into picture for this when pushing Long Run all the way at Newbury last time out on his first run since late 2010;Ran at least as well in Gold Cup when fourth and repeat of that form will make him very hard to beat although horses with placed efforts there have won just once since 1997.

Carruthers: Impressed with his easy front running victories as a novice, running creditably in RSA Chase when bad mistake put paid to his chances 3 out; Reached that form for the first time since when clear cut winner of Hennessy three starts ago but since well beaten twice in this company and while he was second in this two years ago, others preferred.

Diamond Harry: As talented as any horse on his day, like when beating Burton Port in the Hennessy just four runs ago; Disappointed since, although he might have gone on too strong when fourth in Betfair Chase and it’s now clear he doesn’t like Cheltenham; Interesting if back to Hennessy form.

Follow The Plan: Won dreadful Punchestown Gold Cup after coming third in this last year and while he’s run respectably since, not upto this class.

Hunt Ball: Story of the season, as he’s by far the most improved chaser in training with seven wins and a mark that has risen 85lbs; Staggeringly still had a lot more in hand when landing the Centenary Handicap Chase under 12 stone, and way he stormed home after the last notable with relation to an attempt at 3 miles today; Handles any ground and has to be taken very seriously on first Grade 1 attempt.

Master Of The Hall: Talented when he puts it all together, as his last three wins show; All of those came very easily with casts doubt as to what he’ll find off the bridle (found zilch when pushed in RSA Chase although Cheltenham not his track);

Merdermit: Better with every run over fences and unlucky not to win December Gold Cup at Cheltenham when giving nearly a stone to perfectly ridden runner up; Second only to Riverside Theatre at Ascot and again in Ryanair and has big chance here on first run at 3 miles (clear that he wants trip); Hard to see out of the frame.

Nacarat: Romped home in this last year and first time in same form since when easy winner of Racing Post Chase, a win that’s right up with his best on form; No reason why he can’t go close again here although this looks to be a much stronger renewal.

Riverside Theatre: Made further progression from his promising novice season when second to Long Run in King George before running out a very easy winner of Ascot Chase on next start; Repeated that win on seasonal reappearance and mighty effort to win Ryanair (had 9 Grade 1 winners) at Cheltenham despite jumping poorly and not being at home with track; Hard race there but 30 days to recover since and only run at this distance was a second in the King George; Seems the one to beat on form.

Roberto Goldback: Showed smart form on more than one occasion last year but always held, apart from when looking likely to land Punchestown Gold Cup (terrible renewal) when falling at last; Well held in Cheltenham handicap, beaten by Follow The Plan afterwards, and let down his Grade 1 second when unplaced in Naas handicap chase last time out and readily passed over here.

What A Friend: Seen by many as a Gold Cup contender after wins in Lexus Chase and Totesport Bowl 2 seasons ago and while he had troubled season, did go some way to fulfilling that promise when fourth in this last year, running on rapidly through beaten horses; Fell sick after poor hurdling run at Wetherby but back to best last time, although he was well behind Burton Port at Newbury; Fell early on in Gold Cup but saved himself a hard race and interesting around track when know he likes with wellbeing confirmed.

VERDICT: Naracrat deserves respect in his bid for a follow up and could go well but this is a much stronger renewal. Winners and placed horses in the Gold Cup have a pretty shocking record but the lightly raced nature of Burton Port, along with the fact there’s an extra week between the two, would make me wary of laying him in any form despite the fact that he’s not the selection. RIVERSIDE THEATRE, so brave when winning the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival despite hating the track and jumping poorly, could have done with 3 miles that day and has an excellent form chance of landing a hat trick of Grade 1 events here, with the 30 days he’s had to recover hopefully enough time to prevent a blowout of any kind. Hunt Ball is stepping up from handicaps to Grade 1 level but he still looks to have some more in hand based on how he won at Cheltenham last time out and deserves the utmost respect, along with Medermit, who looks a cracking each/way bet on Ryanair form. What A Friend fell early in the Gold Cup but is likely to appreciate the return to this track and is the value option.