Ross takes a look at Saturday's Sky Bet Chase.(credit:
Paolo Camera)
Calgary Bay heads a maximum field of 23 for Saturday’s Sky Bet Chase Handicap at Doncaster (3.25).
Henrietta Knight’s seven-year-old returned to winning ways last time with a seven length win from Alderburn over this trip of 3m last month, but has been penalised 11lb for that success. That’s a real problem as not one winner of this race during the last decade has carried more than 11st 2lb to victory, so he’s reluctantly passed over.
That stat also rules out Seven Is My Number (7/1 joint favourite with the sponsors), who is looking to win his first handicap under any discipline and looks to have it all to do with 11st 7lb to carry. While you are dicing with death ruling out any Pipe horse in these big Saturday handicaps, he won’t be carrying my money.
Exmoor Ranger (9/1 Ladbrokes) is tempting as he was impressive at Newbury last time and despite being 7lb higher in the weights, he could still be ahead of the handicapper. The problem with him, though, is his jumping as he does take a liberty with his fences and is therefore a risky proposition at single figure odds.
In contrast, the Jonjo O’Neil-trained THEATRICAL MOMENT (8/1 Coral) has looked a natural since being put over fences last autumn, winning novice chases at Leicester on his two most recent starts, the latest by seven lengths from a useful sort. This is a big step up in class but he clearly has plenty of ability and Noel Fehily, who gets on brilliantly with him, will do the steering. Good ground is ideal for him so, providing the ground doesn’t deteriorate from the current good to soft, he won’t be far away.
Alan King’s horses are running out of their skins right now so his Nenuphar Collonges should go well, although he does lack a turn of foot and is vulnerable to the speedier types – like the selection. The same can be said of Gone To Lunch (25/1 Paddy Power), who might find even this trip too short – he looks a real National type for later in the season.
Lurking down the bottom of the handicap is the Donald McCain-trained KHACHATURIAN, who will feel let loose with 10st 3lb after running third under the welter burden of 11st 12lb at Newbury last time. With his stable continuing in fine form, he is worth a saver at 14/1 (bet365).
Recommended Bets:
Theatrical Moment 2pts @ 8/1 Coral
Khachaturian 1pt @ 14/1bet365