totesport Classic Chase preview
Filed on 10 Jan 2008 @ 15:29
totesport.com Classic Steeple Chase Handicap
Warwick, 2:30pm Saturday 12 January 2008. 3m5f.
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A race revolving round the well-weighted horses, trying to recapture their best form, and in-form performers moving up the weights. Arnold Layne has won round here; his jumping and stamina, should see him go close. I take Caroline Bailey’s charge and High Chimes, unexposed at this trip, against the field.
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| Horse | FSF rating | Comments
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| MR FLUFFY | 150 | Well handicapped on his best form. Ran a little better than his final position suggests behind Trust Fund at Newbury. Profile suggests good ground suits him best.
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| MR ED | 149 | Ran his best race for some time when second last time out. Overall impression suggests he is not as good over fences as he was over hurdles; last win came over two and a half years ago.
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| D’ARGENT | 145 | Another struggling to recapture his best form. He has run well in this race before and his form shows he can bounce back from disappointing displays.
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| PHILSON RUN | 142 | Fourth in the Grand National and a real long distance chaser. Loves heavy ground but normally needs run to put him straight.
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| ARNOLD LAYNE | 141 | This fellow has found top form winning three races on the trot. A course winner, he jumps for fun. Both the second and third in his last race have gone on to frank the form. Progressive, he handles soft ground and should go close.
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| SIXO | 140 | Returning from a lengthy absence, he will surely find this too much first time out. However, his trainer is adept at producing them fit and well after a break, and his best form gives him a squeak at the weights.
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| NAUNTON BROOK | 140 | Running well this season. Made all at Carlisle, before running creditably in the Welsh Grand National. Enjoys soft and heavy ground, finished third in the race last season off a 6lb lower mark. His front running tactics leave him open to anything with a turn of foot.
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| STRONG RESOLVE | 140 | Consistent in a slightly lower grade than this. Likes to lead and may get involved with Naunton Brook in a battle up front.
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| HIGH CHIMES | 139 | High Chimes has suffered with leg trouble throughout his career. Nevertheless, when he gets the chance he is a consistent and useful chaser in this sort of event. He has run two excellent races this season, looking on both occasions as though a longer trip would bring about more improvement. May possibly be at his best on a flat track but expected to run well.
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| BLUE SPLASH | 137 | Looks just the type for one of these staying chases. Ran well at Cheltenham before falling, though he was probably feeling the pinch at the time. Acts very well at Chepstow and Exeter, and may find this track on the sharp side.
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| NOT LEFT YET | 137 | Supported into 13/2 and expected to run a big race in the Welsh National being. Unfortunately, he slipped up as the runners went away for the final circuit. Capable of better than he has shown over fences, and one to note in the market.
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| FAIR QUESTION | 136 | Disappointing this season having looked a promising chaser last term. Needs to find something he has not shown so far this time round.
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| TRUST FUND | 134 | Impressive winner at Wincanton and Newbury, following a transfer to “Camp Nicholls” and a wind operation. Travels well, but can make the odd mistake. I am not convinced he has the form or ability of the stables recent winners Ladalko and Eurotrek. He runs off a similar mark to those two horses.
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| KILBEGGAN BLADE | 133 | Ran away with a long-distance staying chase at Sandown Park. Subsequently, raised 12lb by the handicapper. I wonder if he would be happier on a more galloping track, and he needs to find further improvement off his new rating.
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Filed on 10 Jan 2008 @ 15:29
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