This is the first big chase of the season and is as usual a competitive affair. The favourite is Our Vic from the Pipe yard. He was very good two seasons ago but seemed to lose his way a bit last season.
However, the vibes from the yard are strong so he must have every chance. I’d still like to seem him produce some form before I could back him again though.
By comparison Monkerhostin has proveed his wellbeing this season by winning the Exeter race in which Best Mate sadly lost his life. He has a 6lb penalty to carry here but he must have an excellent chance to follow up.
Lenny Lungo has been playing down the chances of Brooklyn Breeze on the basis of his belief that the horse failed to stay over course and distance last year. I’m not 100% sure that that was the whole case that day.
Anyway I’m going to give him the chance to prove that he stays and hope he can win this. One other to consider is the frustrating Redemption who is the type who travels well but then finds trouble at just the wrong time in a race. I am sure he can win one of these big chases at some point this season.
The 2.45 is an open looking handicap chase over almost 3 and _ miles. Iris Bleu won well last week at Wincanton and can go well again here. I also like Jack High the Irish raider who proved himself one of the top staying handicappers last season. Sir Rembrandt and First Gold are both classy individuals but the up and coming King Harald can see them all of here. He is already being talked of as a Gold Cup possible and if he is going to be in that class then he should be winning this off a relatively low rating of 134. Whatever happens expect him to progress throughout the season.
The 3.00 at Uttoxeter might not take a lot of winning and Jericho III was going well enough in the lead at Ayr last Saturday to suggest he can win soon. He made a bad mistake at Ayr which ultimately ruined his chance but granted an error free round he can gain compensation here.
SELECTIONS
CHELTENHAM 3.20 BROOKLYN BREEZE
CHELTENHAM 2.45 KING HARALD
UTTOXETER 3.00 JERICHO iii