Betfair Chase 2014

3.00 Haydock

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

Winner £112,540

Advice 1 pt win Bobs Worth (2/1 general), 1 pt each/way Tidal Bay (8/1 general)

1 pt Bobs Worth to win today and Gold Cup 2013 (9/1 general)

Bobs Worth: Just the two runs last season but they were enough to mark him down as the supreme staying chaser, winning the Hennessy in fine style and on just first start, since, showing huge reserves of grit and exceptional attitude to eventually trash Gold Cup rivals, having looked in trouble before the turn (Long Run behind, Silviniaco Conti going well before he fell); Some have suggested this track might not suit as much as Cheltenham but the one to beat in no uncertain terms and soft ground suits.

Cue Card: Threatened to be a serious chaser in novice season (once chinned by Bobs Worth over 2m4f) and has found what seems to be perfect trip at 2m4f, winning Asccot Chase and Ryanair by large margins before clear best of the rest in impressive fashion behind Sprinter Sacre at Aintree; Beaten on comeback but giving lumps of weight to Somsersby and Module at Exeter and has advantage of first run this season over many here; Easy to make a very strong case for him on all known form; Fifth, 20 lenghts behind Long Run on only try at 3m when ground was heavy for King George; Not the case here but could still be outstayed on testing surface.

Dynaste: Took very similar path to Grands Crus for same stable after World Hurdle eighth and win four of 5 chases last season in exemplary style, his only blip coming when he was beaten as a heavy favourite in Jewson at the Cheltenham Festival, although he made amends in style when a clear winner at Aintree; Obviously an exciting horse but this on a different level to anything he’s faced so far and others preferred.

Long Run: Looked as if he had the staying world at his feet when he won 2011 King George and World Cup but despite incredible consistency, he hasn’t been the same force since and needed every yard of heavy ground Kempton slog to land his second King George; Well behind Bobs Worth in Gold Cup and no reason to think that those tables should be turned; blundered badly at the 11th, had blood in his scope afterwards when well beaten at Wetherby on return; if back to best, can get involved but beaten in this last year by Silviniaco Conti convincingly.

Roi Du Mee: Continued the improvement that saw him land 6 on the bounce last year when taking his first Grade 1 at Down Royal when surprise winner of JN Wine Champion Chase by 12 lengths; deserves respect for that success and still an improving charge but feeling that key players letting themselves down  that day might have flattered him.

Silviniaco Conti: One of many quality novice chasers from 2 years ago when a three time Graded winner who graduated in style when winning this last year from Long Run (never looked likely to be passed) and was going as well as any in Gold Cup before falling at third last; Impossible to say with confidence that he’d have beaten Bobs Worth given how that one finished but easy to forgive below par effort at Aintree in aftermath and a serious contender today.

The Giant Bolster: As capable as any top staying chaser on his day when at his peak, but fourth, beaten 16 lengths in Gold Cup and even further behind at Aintree; Hard to envisage him winning.

Tidal Bay: Evergreen but still extremely sharp veteran when tried and just failed to give 6lbs to Bobs Worth in Hennessy and then followed up with Lexus Chase win in what was the finish of the season; Didn’t make either Cheltenham or Aintree but hurdles return was a quality one which suggested he’s as good as ever and can be flying late today.

VERDICT: One of the highest quality renewals we’ll be likely to see and arguably the non-festival race of the season. The place to start is Gold Cup winner BOBS WORTH,  who has a tremendous task on his hands here but a ferocious attitude and rock solid temperament that is likely to leave him last man standing if this race turns into a slog on what’s a testing surface. He can outstay last year’s winner Silvinaco Conti, who was going so well when falling in the Gold Cup and is the main threat. Given the dominance of his Gold Cup win last year, the 9/1 on him winning today and retaining his title in 2014 makes sense and looks to be a generous offer. With Cue Card’s stamina an issue on such ground and Dynaste having something to prove in form terms, and Long Run’s wellbeing in question after being amiss on his seasonal comeback, TIDAL BAY can be involved at the finish, looking as good as ever on his recent return at Haydock.