Big-Race Perspective: The Betfair Ascot Chase

Big Race Perspective / Timeform / 22 February 2010 / Leave a comment

A race won in recent years by the likes of Tiutchev (twice), Our Vic, Kauto Star and Voy Por Ustedes, and though the latest renewal may not have been a vintage, there was certainly a worthy winner.

"MONET'S GARDEN gained his second success from 3 starts this season, his second Ascot Chase too (also runner-up to Kauto Star in 2008), back in the jumping rhythm that had characterised his Old Roan success and in control from five out."

A substandard renewal of a race which struggles to be both top class and competitive at the same time, this running lacking a leading candidate for either the Gold Cup or the Ryanair, the early fall of Planet of Sound leaving a race likely to have little meaning with regard to Cheltenham, the proximity of the third raising questions about the value of the form.

MONET'S GARDEN gained his second success from three starts this season, his second Ascot Chase too (also runner-up to Kauto Star in 2008), back in the jumping rhythm that had characterised his Old Roan success and in control from five out, eased after being four lengths up at the last. Whether he's still as competitive against top-class opposition at the age of twelve remains to be seen, however, and he'll reportedly be saved for either the Melling Chase or even the Perth Festival now. He's been a grand servant to his yard over the years, a real enthusiastic horse and superb jumper when on song, and he could prove the final Grade 1 winner for his sire Roselier, who ranks behind perhaps only Strong Gale and Deep Run among the NH sires of the last twenty-five years.

ALBERTAS RUN met with his first defeat from three Ascot starts but at least returned to some sort of form, travelling more sweetly but no real threat to the winner in the straight. He's not going to be easy to place and entries in two Grade 1s at Cheltenham and joint topweight in the Grand National suggests he will be of limited interest this spring.

THE SAWYER looked up against it at this level and, likeable as he is, his proximity raises questions about the value of the form, particularly with his rider unable to claim. This could well have a detrimental effect on his handicap mark.

OH CRICK was clearly below form, far from certain to stay this sort of trip but as much as anything let down by his jumping, already making little impression when making a further mistake two out.

HERECOMESTHETRUTH ran a flat race, losing his place before five out, his rally petering out going to the second last, too; he seemingly isn't straightforward.

PLANET OF SOUND has long been prone to the odd mistake and took a crunching fall at the fifth.