Daily Racing Thread Saturday 20th. November 2021

It looks a very good renewal of the Betfair Chase this year and connections of A Plus Tard are to be applauded for letting him take his chance here. Much like Frodon going to Down Royal the other week, his presence here adds massively to the race. Having said that, I think he is way too short in the betting and needs taking on:

1. A Plus Tard - clearly a very talented gelding on his day and is top rated in the field on 172. Having said that, his career record of 5 wins from 12 races does suggest a certain vulnerability to me and I think his price is plenty short enough.

2. Bristol de Mai - triple winner who regularly saves his best for Haydock, albeit usually on much easier going. I think Daryl Jacob will make plenty of use of him, ensuring a good pace, but I think he might be vulnerable to a closer on this better ground.

3. Chatham Street Lad - successfully crossed the Irish Sea to win the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup last season and finished 4th in the Marsh Novices Chase at the festival. That shouldn't be anywhere good enough to be involved here.

4. Clondaw Castle - another solid handicapper who is out of his depth here.

5. Imperial Aura - looked set for the top table after winning a grade 2 chase so impressively at Ascot a year ago but the wheels came off somewhat thereafter with a 2nd fence unseat at Kempton and pulled up in the Ryanair. On a recovery mission but this longer trip could bring out the best in him and he goes well fresh, so not ruled out.

6. Next Destination - made the switch from Willie Mullins to Paul Nicholls and enjoyed a good first season at Ditcheat, culminating in a fine 2nd in the National Hunt Chase. He clearly has the requisite stamina but may lack the experience for this and could well be taken off his feet if there is a strong early pace.

7. Royale Pagaille - Won the Peter Marsh in breathtaking style last season but that was on much softer ground. Subsequently found things happening too quickly in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the same thing could happen here.

8. Waiting Patiently - needs the change of trainer to have worked the oracle and bring him back to his best to be competitive here. However, he is a strong traveller and a good pace should suit him. If he can get close to the form of his King George 2nd he could be in with a squeak here.

Summary: This ought to be a truly run affair and the prevailing ground conditions would appear to favour a strong traveller with a turn of foot. I would love to see Waiting Patiently run a good race but even more so I would like to see Imperial Aura put his best foot forward and realise the potential he showed in his novice season. If he can get in to a nice jumping rhythm then he could spring a minor surprise.

 

Bob Olinger shows the motor is still nicely tuned on chase debut, hacking round and easily pulling clear of Bacardys. A highly satisfactory chase debut in the race won by Energumene last year.

 

I agree on Song for Someone Steve - way overpriced and goes really well fresh

 

Tell you what, that Bryony Frost is some horsewoman. The ride she just gave Jeremy Pass was absolutely beautiful. She presented the horse spot on at every fence - when she saw a stride she asked him up, when she didn't she let him pop. Just an absolutely beautiful ride to watch. That's 2 from 2 for her at Ascot and the ride on the first was equally good but very different, with a power-packed finish.

 

Bravemansgame just has so much scope. I wonder where next for him? Surely no coincidence that Nicholls has pitched him straight into open company for his first 2 chases.

 

Great to see Lostintranslation back

 

Take a bow Isabel Williams - what a fantastic ride on Dans Le Vent

 

Unlucky mate - filthy from Buzz looked like he'd just joined in approaching the last. Very smooth.

 

Not much you can say about that - imperious A Plus Tard