188bet.co.uk Many Clouds Chase (Grade 2)

A small field, so perhaps a muddling gallop, and that could suit the adorable grey Cloudy Dream who tackles this 3m trip for the first time, continuing to improve, and narrowly beaten on both previous visits to this track (2m4f), including as a novice by Flying Angel in the Grade 1 Manifesto Chase. Definitely Red is rated too highly for handicapping nowadays, and we know that he stays well on testing ground, but he wasn't strong enough for Bristol De Mai and Blaklion in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby last month. Therefore, in a race which takes some solving, a chance is taken on the second season Irish chaser ALPHA DES OBEAUX. He appears stronger this campaign, and whilst perhaps not having the same level of scope or speed as Cloudy Dream, he looked on good terms with himself when taking the Clonmel Oil Chase in mid-November, so he gets a narrow nod.

1. Alpha Des Obeaux
2. Cloudy Dream
3. Flying Angel