Nacarat Can Prevail In Competitive Looking Racing Plus Chase
After being sponsored by the Racing Post for 23 years, the Racing Post Chase changes names for this year’s renewal to the Rac
ing Plus Chase, who have stepped in as the race’s new sponsor. In many ways, it is a cute move by Racing Plus which has just re-launched itself following investment by the Racecourse Media Group with its aim being to be the Racing Post’s major rival, although it will only be available at weekends.
The race itself of course does not alter, it is a Grade 3 Handicap, run over 3 miles at Kempton Park and is often used by trainers as a final preparation race for either the Cheltenham Festival or the Grand National.
This week’s renewal has attracted a very decent looking field of runners, where the Phillip Hobbs trained Planet Of Sound has been made 7/2 favourite in the racing odds and carries top weight of 11-12.
This will be the ten year old’s first start since finishing second 3½ lengths behind Carruthers in the Hennessy Gold Cup back in November where Planet of Sound was giving 12lbs away to the winner but still ran an eye catching race, after which, the decision was taken that he would be the lead entry from the Hobbs stable for this year’s Grand National. This race therefore is clearly his warm up run for Aintree and it is a race in which Hobbs has trained three winners in recent years, including Quinz 12 months ago. However, despite Planet Of Sound being made the favourite to win, connections will be more than a happy with a clear round and good performance before heading to Aintree in April.
Favourites actually have a poor record in the race, with only one jolly landing the spoils in the last 10 years, however, top weights fair better with three obliging since 2004.
Contesting favouritism with Planet of Sound is the 2009 winner of the race, Nacarat, trained by Tom George. The grey was last seen on Boxing Day when fifth behind Kauto Star in the King George Vl Chase but despite now being 11 years old, he will have nothing of that calibre to beat here and is more than capable of running a big race. The Tom George yard is in great form having saddled four winners in the last ten days as well as a host of places and it would be no surprise to see Nacarat continue that good run.
The lightly raced Michel Le Bon from the Paul Nicholls stable makes his first appearance since finishing down the field in the Hennessy Gold Cup. That run was his first for two years and he was disappointing, however, on the plus side, he was highly regarded at Ditcheat before his long absence and the word from the yard is that he has made good progress since November. He is around a 5/1 chance to win the Racing Plus Chase and whilst it wouldn’t be a shock to see Nicholls and Walsh combine to win this, it is probably left best watched following the concerns of a cough at the yard this week on the back of just one winner in the month of February.
Hector’s Choice from the Richard Lee stable is another entry worthy of respect and rates an 8/1 chance. Never out of the top three on his four starts this season, including a win at Aintree in October, this eight year old seems to be heading in the right direction and holds an entry in the Grand National. He may not have enough in his locker to win this time but age is definitely on his side and is one for the future.
By Racing Rod