The most successful current jockeys are Barry Geraghty, Tony McCoy, and Ruby Walsh with two wins each. Prior to Bobs Worth’s win, the previous thirteen winners ran in the King George or Lexus Chase. The last ten winners had previously been successful in at Grade 1 race. Bobs Worth apart, winners in the past ten-years had prep runs thirty-four and eighty-three days prior to the race. Four of the last six winners won a race at the previous festival.
Silviniaco Conti will enter the arena with 2014 Betfair Chase and King George Chase wins to his name. His TFR is 8lb clear of the next horse in the betting market. What dampens enthusiasm is his apparent dislike of undulating tracks. Since cheek-pieces were fitted in the Betfair Chase, Noel Fehily has made most of running, jumping well to outstay his rivals. One imagines he will try to control the pace from the front, thereby given him every chance of seeing out the trip. Holywell is now second top rated on Timeform. He returned to his best last time and looks sure run well at a venue and meeting where he has such a good record. Many Clouds and Road To Riches arrive on a high. The former won well on Trials day with course experience a valuable asset. The ground drying has to be considered a negative. Lord Windermere showed more in the Irish Hennessy despite looking just short of his best fitness-wise. However, both RPR’s and TFR’s suggest those crossing the water need to improve if Silviniaco Conti runs to his best.
The one exception may be the hugely exciting Djakadam. On TFRs he needs to improve considerably. However, he could not have won the Thyestes Chase any easier under a big weight. The Giant Bolster (second, fourth and third in the race) looks sure to run his best race of the season. Coneygree ran out an impressive winner in the Denman Chase. His RPR suggests the RSA is the safest choice in terms of achievement, though at eight-years, he is old enough to run in an open-looking renewal. Interestingly his RPR is the same as Carlingford Lough achieved in the Irish Hennessy. I am of the opinion Boston Bob, in preparation for Cheltenham and the spring festivals received a considerate ride. Not put in the race until the latter stages, he looks one sure to enjoy the extra quarter of a mile at Prestbury Park. Sam Winner is expected to take his chance having reportedly improved since his run in the Lexus Chase.
TF
SILVINIACO CONTI 176
HOLYWELL 168p
MANY CLOUDS 165+
ROAD TO RICHES 165
HOUBLON DES OBEAUX 162
THE GIANT BOLSTER 162
CONEYGREE 159
BOBS WORTH 162
MANY CLOUDS 165
CARLINGFORD LOUGH 162
LORD WINDERMERE 162
DJAKADAM 161
SAM WINNER 159
