The Betbright Chase, run over 3 miles
at Kempton, doesn’t have a habit of throwing long-priced winners
but, with just one winning favourite in the last ten years and
winners at 28/1, 12/1, 11/1, and 10/1 in that period, it’ll do for
us.
Astracad (50/1) gained a last
gasp victory over 2 miles 3½ furlongs at Chepstow on his
reappearance in October and has run creditably in defeat on all three
starts since. He’s an infrequent winner, who’s yet to win beyond
2 miles 4 furlongs, but he should appreciate the drying conditions
forecast for the South East between now and Saturday. He’s yet to
even attempt 3 miles, but if he’s ever likely to stay the extra
distance it’ll surely be on sharpish, flat track like Kempton.
Nigel Twiston-Davies other entry,
Ballykhan (28/1), is still a novice, but is another who should
appreciate faster underfoot conditions than when pulled up at
Newcastle in November and could go well at generous odds. The
6-year-old remains 7lb higher in the weights than when winning at
Chepstow in September, but jumps soundly and goes well fresh, so an
absence of 91 days is less of a worry than it otherwise might be.
Opening Batsman (20/1) won this
race off a 2lb lower mark three years ago and looked all over the
winner on his latest attempt over course and distance, over
Christmas, before weakening rapidly in the closing stages to finish
only fifth of 15, beaten 18½ lengths, behind Last Samurai. Harry
Fry’s 10-year-old also ran poorly on his only subsequent attempt,
over 2 miles 4½ furlongs here in January, so he clearly comes with
risks attached. That said, he’s equally well handicapped if
anywhere near his best.
Selections: Astracad
(50/1 with Bet365), Ballykhan (28/1 with Bet365), Opening
Batsman (20/1 generally available)
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