Betfair Chase 2012

3.05 Haydock

Betfair Chase (Registered As The Lancashire Chase) (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner £112,540

Ante Post: 1 pt Long Run to win today, King George, and Cheltenham Gold Cup  (25/1 Paddy Power) 

Cannington Brook: Miles behind the rest of these but has won his last two C&D starts on heavy in extremely impressive style, including Tommy Whittle handicap chase last year; Recent pipe opener at Ascot should have done him the power of good and not discounted here with the rest of the field all relatively unproven on a deep surface.

Long Run: Disappointed last year based on the brilliance of previous campaigns, notably when third in Gold Cup as favourite and well beaten second in last year’s renewal; If showing his best, the clear outstanding favourite but slight worry about how fit he will be and whether deep ground actually suits him.

Silviniaco Conti:  Always threatened to be top class at some point (easy to forget how impressive he was over hurdles in first UK season) and end of season romp at Aintree followed up by equally impressive performance in Charlie Hall Chase; Needs to be seriously respected coming on from that, for all that ground would be a question too.

The Giant Bolster: The Giant Bolster: Takes liberties at his fences sometimes but plenty of class to go with that, as he showed when taking apart decent handicap chase field at Cheltenham and then running second in Gold Cup; Talented enough to win it, but feeling is that he needs the ground better than this to show his best.

Wayward Prince: Unable to progress in any way on terrific first season campaign last year barring his fourth place in the Rowyland Meyrick; No match for Silviniaco Conti latest and can’t see why he would overturn that form.

Weird Al: Only 2 lengths behind Long Run in this last year off the back of an excellent win in in Charlie Hall Chase; Disappointed in Gold Cup afterwards but we all know that test doesn’t suit him like some others and big chance here with ground not expected to be as much of an issue as it could be for others and his record fresh second to none.

VERDICT: An intriguing renewal, pitting one of the best established chasers (if not the best compared to who you’d want to believe) against one of the most exciting  second season chasers going in Long Run and Silviniaco Conti. This match up would be even more exciting if it was taking place on good ground however, and with the ground likely to be quite deep given the forecasts, it could pay to oppose them both if you’re betting here (while they have form on ground with cut, both are at their best on good ground by far). The Giant Bolster is easily good enough to win this but he too might not enjoy cut, which leaves one with WEIRD AL, and to a lesser extent, Cannington Brook, as the value in what looks to be a watching brief, although those who believe that Long Run is the best of this field are directed to the 25/1 Paddy Power offer on him winning this, the King George, and Gold Cup.