Friday, 24th February 2023
I wonder about Annsam – fancied for tomorrow’s Coral Trophy Handicap Chase (3.00) at Kempton….
He won well at the track last time out off a mark of 135….
…. and the beaten favourite has since franked the form….
But it wasn’t the strongest 0 to 145 handicap, the ground won’t be quite so soft tomorrow, and he’s up 7lbs in the handicap….
He won’t get it all his own way up front this time either….
Cap Du Nord is also prominent in the betting and is turned around quickly having won the Swinley at Ascot last weekend….
He carries a 5lb penalty but is 3lbs out of the handicap – and races off an effective mark of 135….
He’s obviously in form right now- but it’s worth noting that all seven of his chase wins have come off marks of 127 or lower….
And I wonder if this might come too soon after his exertions at Ascot….
One that could run well at a double-figure price is Emma Lavelle’s Killer Clown….
He’s got questions to answer following his last time out performance at Newbury in November – where he ran a stinker….
But he’s 2 from 2 at the track and down a useful 3lbs for his in-form yard….
The one I want to be with is OUR POWER at the 8s….
He was 3rd in last year’s renewal off 136 – getting going too late – and followed up with a sound effort in the Ultima at the Festival off 138….
He’s been off since wining the Bateaux Gold Cup at Ascot on seasonal debut in October – having been self-certificated out of the Coral Gold Trophy on the morning of the race….
That Ascot win proved he can be got ready first-time up – and given he went so well in last season’s edition I imagine he’s been prepared for a bold showing by Sam Thomas….
He’s proven on decent ground, goes well at the track. and is still only rated 141. He’s still unexposed and almost certainly better than that mark….
Charlie Deutsch has had the ride on Our Power of late but is at Chepstow tomorrow….
So it’s handy Nigel Twiston Davies runs Guy at Kempton because it means Sam Twiston Davies (who rode Our Power earlier in his chase career) is there to deputise ….
It will come as no surprise if or when Kitty’s Light wins one of these big handicaps….
It seems like he’s been around forever – but he’s still only 7 and he’s gone close multiple times in these big staying handicap chases….
It was only last season that he was 2nd in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr off 143….
…. before finishing 3rd in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown off 145….
Off just 132 tomorrow he’s got a hell of a chance to finally land the big prize in the Eider at Newcastle (3.25)….
But he’s 11/4. And while I’d love this horse to win, I can’t put him up. The job at this column is to find one at a price….
…. a big price – if or when a genuine case can be made – or, at the very least, a half decent price….
The one that appeals tomorrow is top-weighted EVA’S OSKAR at the general 10s….
He’d been progressive in the first part of the season – producing two good performances at Cheltenham on decent ground (winning the second race off 140)….
Last time at Sandown – off an 8-week break – he didn’t manage to build on that form….
…. but he might just have been building up to this race – one his trainer earmarked as a potential target back in November….
It will be his first time at this kind of genuine marathon trip but I’m not concerned about that – he looks tailor made for it….
…. and whilst he shoulders top weight he’s only rated 142 which is just 2lbs in advance of his last winning mark….
On that last winning day at Cheltenham the 9yo didn’t over exert himself once he hit the front. He gave the impression there could be more to come – and the trip tomorrow is the race feature to draw it out….
The pick of the prices….To recap on my bets for tomorrow…. In the 3.00 @ Kempton….
e/w terms = Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 5. It’s 1/5 the first 4 generally…. In the 3.25 @ Newcastle….
e/w terms = Sky Bet, Paddy Power & William Hill are 1/5 the first 5. It’s 1/5 the first 4 generally…. Advised prices are correct on publication – but prices are subject to fluctuation. Consult Oddschecker – you may find better quotes and terms than advised…. |
That’s all for today….
When it boiled down to it in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse I decided not to bet – because I can’t see past the Mullins pair and they make no appeal at the prices….
I’ll be back next week….
Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk
Stay tuned.
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