A very competitve race with some experienced chasers. Then we have the newest hottest chaser in Grand Crus. The Argento Chase is run over the same course as the Gold Cup, but is a furlong shorter at three miles and one and a half furlongs
Grands Crus- Now he isnt running!
Captain Chris- 3/1 Is now favourite with 99% of the bookies He had a brilliant form as a novice but has yet to win this season. Philip Hobbs’ eight-year-old is an outstanding athlete on his day, but he has encountered a number of set-backs already this year. Finishing third in the King George to Kauto Star and Long Run was a top effort, especially as the only horse from that race to have run since, fourth-placed Somersby, won a Grade One last weekend at Ascot. Captain Chris is usually at his best at this time of year, and if he runs up to form he will surely not be out of the first three here.
Time For Rupert- 4/1 Got his chasing career back on track when winning a Graduation Chase at Newbury last month. His hurdling form with Big Buck’s meant that he was sent off as the 7/4 favourite for last year’s RSA Chase, but he bled in the big race and ended up being soundly beaten by Bostons Angel. At eight-years-old he has plenty of time on his side to make the step up to the highest level, but he looks just short of top notch and preference is still for the unexposed Grands Crus. Intresting to see that Rupert’s new jockey is now Denis O’Regan.
Diamond Harry 3/1 Is now 2nd favourite but can get as big as 7/2 and Bet365 has him down @ 3/1 Jt Fav now with Grand Crus gone his chances have improved and A big favourite of mine- would love to see him win after the year or 2 he has had! He famously beat Denman two starts ago in the Hennessy Gold Cup, but has had a number of problems since, and was on the sidelines last March when Long Run won the Gold Cup. Had a fairly decent run in the betfair chase and would have only done him the world of good! Some argue that he does not run his best races at Cheltenham, but if he is fit and runs to his best then he should at least make the frame at the very least. It is hard to see him winning the Gold Cup at 25/1 with Stan James but again place claims definately in his reach especially without the mighty tank, but saying that he would not be the first horse to come back fighting and win after a bit of TLC.
Midnight Chase 6/1 He fits the bill as a veteran with plenty of jumping experience, and he has finished in the first three in six of his seven races at Prestbury Park. The only time when he did not make the frame was last March, when he finished a gallant fifth to Long Run in the Gold Cup.
The Minack 11/1 A horse in good heart, but the 11/1 shot is certainly not good enough to beat all the horses at the top of the market. On the other hand his stable-mate Tidal Bay could out-run his odds of 8/1, and he seems to do well in the month of January.
Carruthers 20/1 Would be another fairy tale if to win this after his brilliant Hennessy victory but was very disappioting in the welsh national, alittle to hard for him maybe!, but even so on better ground I feel compared to the top 3/4 in the market alot more is needed,
The remainder are all available at 25/1 or bigger and have plenty to prove based on recent form: Knockara Beau, Little Josh, Any Currency and The Sawyer.
Conclusion- Now with Grand Crus- I have had to rethink this. Funny enough now I am going fo Diamond Harry I know people will have his hesitations about him, but if 100% he is easily as classy as Captain Chris. This is his big chance to get his racing back on track and win a major race like this. I was worried about the pace they would go but cant really see anything now wanting to go too quick which will suit him. He has had a bit of break after his last run which both the break and the run would have done him the world of good! I can see him taking the honours ahead of Captain Chris come Saturday. And I expect Tidal Bay to run a big race and he will be my e/w now! Take it before the value goes on saturday!
Grands Crus- Now he isnt running!
Captain Chris- 3/1 Is now favourite with 99% of the bookies He had a brilliant form as a novice but has yet to win this season. Philip Hobbs’ eight-year-old is an outstanding athlete on his day, but he has encountered a number of set-backs already this year. Finishing third in the King George to Kauto Star and Long Run was a top effort, especially as the only horse from that race to have run since, fourth-placed Somersby, won a Grade One last weekend at Ascot. Captain Chris is usually at his best at this time of year, and if he runs up to form he will surely not be out of the first three here.
Time For Rupert- 4/1 Got his chasing career back on track when winning a Graduation Chase at Newbury last month. His hurdling form with Big Buck’s meant that he was sent off as the 7/4 favourite for last year’s RSA Chase, but he bled in the big race and ended up being soundly beaten by Bostons Angel. At eight-years-old he has plenty of time on his side to make the step up to the highest level, but he looks just short of top notch and preference is still for the unexposed Grands Crus. Intresting to see that Rupert’s new jockey is now Denis O’Regan.
Diamond Harry 3/1 Is now 2nd favourite but can get as big as 7/2 and Bet365 has him down @ 3/1 Jt Fav now with Grand Crus gone his chances have improved and A big favourite of mine- would love to see him win after the year or 2 he has had! He famously beat Denman two starts ago in the Hennessy Gold Cup, but has had a number of problems since, and was on the sidelines last March when Long Run won the Gold Cup. Had a fairly decent run in the betfair chase and would have only done him the world of good! Some argue that he does not run his best races at Cheltenham, but if he is fit and runs to his best then he should at least make the frame at the very least. It is hard to see him winning the Gold Cup at 25/1 with Stan James but again place claims definately in his reach especially without the mighty tank, but saying that he would not be the first horse to come back fighting and win after a bit of TLC.
Midnight Chase 6/1 He fits the bill as a veteran with plenty of jumping experience, and he has finished in the first three in six of his seven races at Prestbury Park. The only time when he did not make the frame was last March, when he finished a gallant fifth to Long Run in the Gold Cup.
The Minack 11/1 A horse in good heart, but the 11/1 shot is certainly not good enough to beat all the horses at the top of the market. On the other hand his stable-mate Tidal Bay could out-run his odds of 8/1, and he seems to do well in the month of January.
Carruthers 20/1 Would be another fairy tale if to win this after his brilliant Hennessy victory but was very disappioting in the welsh national, alittle to hard for him maybe!, but even so on better ground I feel compared to the top 3/4 in the market alot more is needed,
The remainder are all available at 25/1 or bigger and have plenty to prove based on recent form: Knockara Beau, Little Josh, Any Currency and The Sawyer.
Conclusion- Now with Grand Crus- I have had to rethink this. Funny enough now I am going fo Diamond Harry I know people will have his hesitations about him, but if 100% he is easily as classy as Captain Chris. This is his big chance to get his racing back on track and win a major race like this. I was worried about the pace they would go but cant really see anything now wanting to go too quick which will suit him. He has had a bit of break after his last run which both the break and the run would have done him the world of good! I can see him taking the honours ahead of Captain Chris come Saturday. And I expect Tidal Bay to run a big race and he will be my e/w now! Take it before the value goes on saturday!
