14:25 Newbury

Sunday 21 February 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Betfair Denman Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 57.76s

Clan Des Obeaux⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 169| BF| C

6/5

Impressive winner of the King George in 2018 and 2019 and not disgraced when third in latest renewal there. Course winner who took this contest when staged at Ascot in 2019. Looks the one to beat.

Form: 2/218-23

Lostintranslation^t⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 169| CWS

7/1

Top-class form last season when landing Betfair Chase and third in Cheltenham Gold Cup, but he has flopped on both starts this term, pulled up in King George (bled) last time. Back after wind op.

Form: 11P3-3P

Cepage⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 158| C

7/1

Very smart chaser who has largely been consistent in high-quality handicaps and 14l winner of Chepstow handicap last time. Sizeable step forward needed here though going back up in trip.

Form: 4617-P1

The Conditional^p⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 149| D

12/1

Progressed well last season and signed off with a win in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Festival. Better than ever this term, posting good placed efforts both times, but this demands a lot more.

Form: 1241-32

Kalashnikov⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 159| BF| C

10/3

Without a win since landing the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree in 2018/19 but has run some good races in defeat, second in the Peterborough Chase last time. Has his stamina to prove.

Form: 2285-72

Secret Investor^t⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 162| BF

14/1

Ran well when runner-up in this last term and raised his game further to impressively land handicap at Chepstow on return. Disappointed in the Ladbrokes Trophy here last time but sort to bounce back.

Form: 1/202-10

Terrefort⁷¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152

28/1

Dual Grade 1-winning novice chaser in 2017/18. Distant runner-up to Clan des Obeaux in this in 2019 (Ascot) but not seen since pulled up in that season’s Ryanair Chase. Tough ask after 23 months off.

Form: 21432P/

Non-Runners

Dashel Drasher¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: J Scott J: Matt Griffiths

Forecasts

Clan Des Obeaux (6/5), Kalashnikov (10/3), Cepage (7/1), Lostintranslation (7/1), The Conditional (12/1), Secret Investor (14/1), Dashel Drasher (14/1), Terrefort (28/1)

This looks a good opportunity for CLAN DES OBEAUX, who couldn't complete a hat-trick in the King George at Kempton in December but could be a different proposition after his break. Secret Investor was runner-up here 12 months ago and goes well fresh so looks the one to give his stablemate most to do, especially if the rain stays away. Lostintranslation is not written off either after a wind op.