Cheltenham Festival 2013 - RSA Chase

2.40 Cheltenham Festival (Day 2, Race 3)

RSA Chase (Grade 1 Novices' Chase) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner £85,425

Advice: 1 pt win, 2 pts place Boston Bob (5/1 general, 10/11 general)

Boston Bob: Come a long way in just 8 starts under rules, winning Grade 1 and 2 hurdles in deeply impressive style before slightly unlucky defeat in last year’s Albert Bartlett (popular route for this race); Only had two runs over fences and deeply unimpressive in both of them, but good reason to believe he hasn’t has the true chance to show his best form judged on how he nosed out Texas Jack for PJ Moriarty win  at Leopardstown last time (2m5f); Ground maybe not as soft as he’d like but should suit perfectly and expect bold show with real test of stamina.

Goulanes: Just the three runs under rules and only one start over fences, but huge promise in all three of them, nosing out useful handicapper here last November and getting better of Super Duty at Wetherby latest; Hard to get a handle of just how much potential he has (was getting 7lsb from Super Duty) but very useful prospect at least.

Hadrian’s Approach: Useful over hurdles and now beginning to show his full talent, although worry that his jumping has been Achilles heel so far for him (fell when going well in Newbury Grade 2, jumped badly in Feltham, and then potentially cost himself victory at Newbury behind Unioniste latest); Can go well but needs to put in best round yet if he’s to win.

Houblon Des Obeaux: Solid hurdler who has made excellent start to chasing career, winning Novice and Grade 2 in style before holding his own in higher company (fourth and second in Grade 2’s over 3m) while solid third in Scily Isles Chase at Sandown and second to Rocky Creek latest; Would not surprise to see big run.

Lord Windermere: Very useful as a novice hurdler with three wins from 6 starts (respectable effort in Deloitte Hurdle) and progressed over fences despite just winning once; Step up in trip from last time should help him but hard not to think Boston Bob will enjoy step up in trip just as much from last time; Each/way chance.

Lyreen Legend: Only just below the top novices last year but hard to find a more consistent and tough novice hurdler, and very much same over fences; Gave impression that 3m on this surface would suit many a time, not least when close fourth to Boston Bob in 2m5f Leopardstown Grade 1; Each/way shout once again.

Real Milan: Shown serious potential both as novice hurdler and chaser, going 5-7 under rules, 2-2 being novice chases although he needed some shoving to get job done at 1/2 (Ayr, 3m, heavy); No show last time after bad mistake but others make more appeal here.

Terminal: Made it two form three over fences when landing 4 runner Grade 2 at Navan (3m, heavy) but not sure second was at his best then and this one  a different level; Stable second best.

Theatrical Star: Off the mark as sixth attempt in Exeter novices chase (2m3f); Easier to forgive the his run in January when most were at sea on the ground, but not shown the required form for race of this class.

Vintage Star: Nothing about the Catterick win and Doncaster second suggest that he can be involved here.

Unioniste: Just 5 but already has the form of an old pro, winning top 2m5f handicap here which quickly became ‘last man standing’ contest in deep ground, although can’t fail to be impressed by just how well he won it (form stands up); Said to have needed the run badly when forced to scramble home at Newbury latest from Hadrian’s Approach, who gets a 1lbs turnaround and may well have won without crucial mistake late on; Leading hope.

VERDICT: This looks tailor made for BOSTON BOB, who has been thoroughly impressive in his two chase starts so far, but promised so much more when getting a four way verdict in the PJ Moriarty chase at Leopardstown. The 2m5f trip was clearly inadequate that day, and today’s finish should be a different matter altogether for him. Unioniste and Hadrian’s Approach, first and second at Newbury last time, should take a close hand, while Hobloun Des Obeaux looks to be the best of the outsiders here although any one of a few could get involved.