Cheltenham Festival 2014 - RSA Chase

2.05 Cheltenham (Day 2, Race 2)

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

Winner £85,425

Advice: 1.5 pts each/way Carlingford Lough (8/1 general)

Annacotty: Has improved no end with blinkers on for front running purposes, second at Chepstow before destroying Feltham field at Kempton (race looked weak beforehand and then Just a Par disappointed as favourite) but then posting terrific front running effort here on trials day when dropped down in trip in novices’ handicap; This a whole lot tougher but step up in trip may help his charge and doesn’t look likely to get (apart from Corrin Wood, and may set pace in tandem) too much competition for the lead; Not without a hope.

Ballycasey Won first two hurdles starts with great promise at 2m4f/2m6f last year before disappointing behind Morning Assembly in 3m Grade 1; Already gone with great promise chasing, an impressive winner on debut at 2 miles in good event before dismissing Don Cossack latest in three runner (but high quality) PJ Moriarty latest; Way he strode out there suggests that this trip won’t be a problem 

Black Thunder: Looked very promising as a chaser last year, good winner over Fox Appeal at Fontwell (form has been boosted manyfold since), then winning small field but good quality events at Haydock and Lingfield; Beaten by Corrin Wood latest when he could never reel him in but this better ground may help him get closer and not without a chance if showing further improvement.

Carlingford Lough: Been on the go a long time over fences but amassed plenty of experience and high level of form, as he showed when collaring Morning Assembly at Leopardstown over Christmas (previously second in Drinmore novices’ to Don Cossack); Last fence faller in PJ Moriarty but that was in no small part thanks to being cut across and interesting to see how return to better ground and three miles suits him; Plenty in his favour with big field experience and the best winning run of many of these and needs respecting.

Corrin Wood: Transformed over fences after hurdles season that bought just the one win and made it three from three when outjumping Black Thunder in the main (gained ground at nearly every fence) and staying on resolutely to get the job done; Worry that he did show tendency to stray to his right and while he’s won on good, suspicion that best form may come with cut; Still fascinating.

Don Cossack: Always been noted for a big future from his bumper days and while novice hurdling didn’t quite work out, chasing always his game and brings very strong collateral form to today, having beaten Carlingford Lough in Drinmore (2m4f, yielding), and come close second to Morning Assembly time before that; Jumped well in the main but looked to be getting worst of argument when he cut over Carlingford Lough on his way to second in the Drinmore and needs to up his game today with trip uncertain for him.

Gevrey Chambertain: Smart over hurdles, winning 3m Fixed Brush handicap at Haydock with all the way ride, but that tactic didn’t work on chasing debut and was beaten quickly in Renynoldstown at Ascot; Can make a smart chaser in future, but doubt whether he’s had enough practice to make successful go of company as fierce as today’s.

Just a Par: Bought for big money at Punchestown maiden hurdle win and promise at end of last season at Aintree; Started in good enough fashion so far chasing until he was abysmal at Kempton over Christmas and no run since disconcerting; Still promise but in at deep end and trainer has better chances.

Le Bec: Useful over hurdles, better over fences, wide margin winner of solid novice chase at Uttoexter before landing good contest here and when beaten by Sam Winner next time out, giving 8lbs to him that day; Would liked to have seen him since November but his form stacks up well and can go well.

Many Clouds: Having a good first season chasing with two creditable wins to his name, but well put aside by Black Thunder at Haydock in November; He was a good winner afterwards and giving 4lbs to O’Faolains Boy when the two met at Ascot latest; Needs more

Morning Assembly: Improved hand over fist stepped up in trip last year, seven lengths to the good of Ballycasey at Punchestown in Grade 1, and at least as good over fences, taking strong contest on debut over 2m4f and then when finding more to get the better of Drinmore Chase winner Don Cossack in 4 runner Punchestown Grade 2; Nailed by Carlingford Lough in the run at Leopardstown but still likely has plenty to give and can go well today; Ground possibly quicker than he would like.

O’Faolins Boy: Revels in heavy ground, as shown with deeply impressive bumper wins before fourth in Albert Bartlett; Just the one win chasing but it was an impressive one, striding clear at Ascot having jumped much the best; 4lbs worse off with the runner up for that event today but main concern is the drastic change in ground.

Samingary: Needs no end of improvement today after handicap-winning run came to an end at the back end of last year.

Sam Winner: Long time chaser in the making, fancied for Pertempts but never goin; Good start to chasing when third in strong contest here and a smooth winner at December meeting, although it should be noted he received weight both times, including 8lbs from Le Bec; Beaten by Smad Place latest trying to give 4lbs and solid form chance on much better ground today.

Smad Place: One of the leading staying hurdlers in this field, third in World Hurdle and Liverpool Hurdle last season; Unseated when race was won on debut but since impressed in two wins, getting better of Sam Winner at Newbury despite the ground (much better for better ground); Only the three runs over fences but jumping clearly a strong suit and likely to take a hand here.

VERDICT: A very competitive and open renewal with a huge amount of potential on show given the relative lack of experience across the field. Ballycasey has been ante post favourite for quite a while and holds a strong form chance Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, having convincingly beaten Don Cossack in the PJ Moriarity at Leopardstown. If over a schooling fall, he will go well, but CARLINGFORD LOUGH was getting into things when he was cut off by Don Cossack that day and while he’s the most exposed of the Irish challenge and the main contenders, he also appeals at the most reliable with his Grade 1 win in December over Morning Assembly rating as extremely trustworthy form. Smad Place is most fancied of the British challengers and the ground has come in time for him, although Sam Winner is likely to be close again on these revised terms and Le Bec, if ready to roll on his first run since December, may be best of the home defence and a wise outsider at 14's. Corrin Wood’s attitude has impressed a lot of people, but he and Annacotty will have to be careful not to cut eachother’s throats.