BETFAIR HANDICAP CHASE
Wednesday 1st January, 2:05pm
Springwell Bay @ 7/2
Gemirande @ 10/3
Colonel Harry @ 7/2
Lisnamult Lad @ 8/1
Midnight River @ 9/1
Marble Sands @ 10/1
view odds
*prices correct at time of writing.
THE RACE
The £100,000 New Year’s Day Premier Handicap Chase (2-05) is the latest of the two and a half mile steeplechasing prizes that are features of the pre-Festival part of Cheltenham’s season. Like the December version won by Gemirande, it’s staged on the New Course with its emphasis on stamina.
THE MARKET
The Venetia Williams bandwagon has enjoyed two successes from Gemirande’s two starts this season – at Ascot as well as Cheltenham – which have resulted in the eight-year-old going up a total of sixteen pounds.
Although the rises will make things harder, he’s clearly on very good terms with himself, as is the team behind him. Springwell Boy is into a handicap chase after three excellent efforts, notably over course and distance when conceding eight pounds and finishing runner-up behind the useful Jango Baie.
Colonel Harry, conqueror of Trelawne at Wetherby last season, made a solid return at Carlisle but was too enthusiastic and seemed to run out of puff over further at Newbury last time.
Lisnamult Lad went in at 20-1 in a novices’ handicap over this distance on the Old Course in October (from which no winners have emerged) and was a mid-race faller in the Troytown at Navan.
Midnight River took this two years ago, but has been well-beaten since returning from an absence. Marble Sands showed the benefit of two flat runs and defeating Colonel Harry at Carlisle before putting in a notable weight-carrying performance when third at Newcastle against several in-form opponents.
The visored Lounge Lizard, third in a race at Carlisle before Christmas, represents a stable that can’t do much wrong and put in a sound course and distance effort when second in January; Hitman hasn’t been successful for yonks, and the handicapper isn’t offering much assistance; the ex-Festival Plate winner Seddon looks up against it.
THE WINNER
While expecting Marble Sands and Lounge Lizard to run well at each-way prices, and obviously fearing Gemirande, with his form I’m backing Springwell Bay – what about you?
CORN’S QUARTET
Staying at Cheltenham, Jeremy Scott fans, who chanted “Jez-za, Jez-za” after Golden Ace’s Festival victory in March (and would surely have carried him back to Exmoor, shoulder high, given half a chance), were silenced at Ascot in November, but that was almost certainly a perfectly respectable return – especially as the stable was quiet – so it could be time for more throat clearing (3-15).
Sam Waley-Cohen’s wife Annabel heads a syndicate whose silks will be worn by Sean Bowen (12-55) on Pierrot Jaguen, six-length winner of an Irish point-to-point from which the second and third have won under Rules since.
Moon Rocket (Southwell, 1-39) is the first runner for the new training partnership of Kim Bailey and his long-term assistant Mat Nicholls, and oughtn’t to let them down having impressed at Doncaster in November.
At Fakenham (3-10), Ted’s Friend will relish the extra distance and, judged by some consistent recent performances in defeat, should finally get his head back in front for Max Kendrick.
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