The Betbright Chase (formerly the
Racing Post Chase), run over 3 miles at Kempton, hasn’t had a habit
of throwing up long-priced winners in recent years. Nevertheless,
Bally Legend (28/1) last year, Opening Batsman (12/1) in 2013, Razor
Royal (11/1) in 2010 and Nacarat (10/1) in 2009 provide some cause
for optimism so, as usual, we’ve selected a few that we think are
capable of upsetting their more ‘illustrious’ rivals.
The first one to catch the eye is Alan
King’s 9-year-old Godsmejudge (33/1), who’s only 1lb higher in
the weights than when second in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr
and third in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last April. The son of
Witness Box – a good source of staying chasers – has typically
been campaigned over marathon distances in recent seasons and
weakened after the fifth last when pulled up in the Sky Bet Chase,
over 3 miles, on his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster four weeks
ago.
Trainer Alan King has confirmed that
the Grand National at Aintree is, once again, ‘Plan A’ for
Godsmejudge this season, but it’s interesting that connections are
persevering at this shorter distance, especially when the Eider (over
4 miles 1 furlong) at Newcastle must have been a tempting
alternative. Of course, it’s possible that Godsmejudge may be taken
off his feet over 3 miles on a sharpish, flat track, but with the
going at Kempton good to soft and a wet afternoon forecast on
Thursday, conditions may be testing enough to bring his stamina into
play.
The Rainbow Hunter (33/1) hasn’t been
seen since unseating his rider at Valentine’s on the first circuit
in the Grand National at Aintree in April, but ran respectably on his
reappearance last season and the one before, so could be a potential
‘fly in the ointment’ if fit and ready to do himself justice. An
8lb rise in the weights for winning the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster
last January doesn’t make life an easier, but Noel Fehily, who’s
never ridden for the yard and has just one booked ride at Kempton on
Saturday, is an interesting jockey booking.
What A Warrior (25/1) has only been
with Dan Skelton since October and, although pulled up in the
Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November, had previously been on a
sharply upward curve for his new hander. He comfortably won a 0-130
affair over 3 miles 1½ furlongs at Ludlow in October on his first
start for the yard and then took a step up to Grade 3 company, and a
13lb rise in the weights, in his stride when making all to beat
subsequent winner Black Thunder in the United House Gold Cup at Ascot
in November. He’s another 7lb higher in the weights here and
wouldn’t want too much rain, but 25/1 is, frankly, a silly price.
So, for richer for poorer, our three
against the field this week are, in order of preference, What A
Warrior (25/1 with Totesport, Betfred, Betway and (amusingly) the
sponsors Betbright), Godsmejudge (33/1 generally available) and The
Rainbow Hunter (33/1 with Boylesports and Betbright). Good luck!