15:35 Kempton
Saturday 25 February 2017
All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45
BetBright Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
- 5YO plus  |  Class 1  |  3m  |  Good (Good to Soft in places)  |  13 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 15:35Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 56.0s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Been in disappointing form so far this season, beaten 39L on his only completion. As last year's third and a C&D winner he certainly can't be discounted, however, and has often shown his best form towards the end of the season in the past.
Won this last year and has won another Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham since. Clearly highly regarded despite his age, he holds a Gold Cup entry and should go well, but is 13lb higher than at the time of last year's race.
Steps up in trip today having proved himself a decent performer over intermediate chase distances. Disappointed last time when favourite in a Cheltenham handicap, but made mistakes and lost a shoe that day. Could go close off the same mark today.
Ran well in novice chases last season before initially struggling this term. He got things back on track with a convincing win at Market Rasen last time, and looks on a fair mark now back in handicap company.
Looked like he relished the step up to 3m when scoring over C&D last time. A 6lb rise seems fair and the ground should be ideal in a race that should be run to suit.
Has run some good races often at a higher level than this, and though he hasn't won since he landed a novice chase here two years ago, he now looks on an appealing mark if able to get back to his best at a course he enjoys.
May have needed the run when a well beaten fourth at Aintree on return in December, and that was in a much better race than this. A slight concern that all his wins have come over shorter than this, but his experienced trainer seems convinced he stays, and the course form helps as well.
Veteran whose last win came at this course in January last year. Hasn't been involved in the finish of a race since, but those races have included Grade 1s and the Grand National. His handicap mark has to look appealing, if his age isn't an issue by now.
Picked up back-to-back wins over the summer but hasn't been the same force in the season proper, and was well beaten at Bangor when last seen. Returns today after a short break, and has gone well for some time off before, so is one to consider.
Probably didn't stay the marathon trip of the Betfred Classic last time, and was in good form prior to that, winning at Ayr in November. Is 6lb higher than when beaten 13½L in this last year, though, and will need to perform better this time.
Last year's runner-up has lost his way somewhat since, never having gotten within 10L of a winner. Will have to show the ability that saw him win over C&D four years ago, though the lower weight will help.
A winner at Wetherby last time out when a step down in class got him back to winning ways, he's up 13lb for that, which seems a little harsh, but did it impressively enough that day. Something more will be needed here.
Has been in good form so far this season, with a first, second and third on his three completions. This is much harder than any of those races, but at least he seems to be going the right way.
Forecasts
Irish Saint (9/2), Three Musketeers (5/1), Double Shuffle (11/2), Viva Steve (8/1), Theatre Guide (11/1), Aso (11/1), Ballykan (11/1), Fingerontheswitch (12/1), Opening Batsman (14/1), Triolo D'Alene (16/1), Pilgrims Bay (25/1), Cocktails At Dawn (25/1), Annacotty (33/1)
As usual this race is an open looking affair with all the runners holding a chance of some kind. Irish Saint returns to a course he's won at before having been running in harder races than this won by some very good horses, while last year's winner Theatre Guide could have the touch of class about him required to overcome his rise in the weights. The suggestion, though, is DOUBLE SHUFFLE. He seemed to really relish the step up in trip when scoring over C&D, and tends to do best towards the back end of each season. If the same applies this time, he should be the one to beat.
1. Double Shuffle
2. Irish Saint
3. Theatre Guide
Prize Money
1st: £56,950.002nd: £21,370.003rd: £10,700.004th: £5,330.005th: £2,680.006th: £1,340.00
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