Donn McClean
TODAY’S BetBright Chase has a rich history.
From Crisp and Pendil in the 1970s through Combs Ditch and Rhyme ‘N’ Reason and Bonanza Boy in the 80s to Desert Orchid and Docklands Express and Rough Quest in the 90s, the race has been won in the past by some of the top staying chasers: past or future Gold Cup and Grand National and Irish National and Welsh National and Whitbread Gold Cup horses.
It’s all about the future today, and Fox Appeal is one of those horses who has plenty of scope for progression now, trying three miles over fences for the first time.
Emma Lavelle’s horse was an exciting novice chaser last season, he finished close up behind Valdez in the Grade 2 Lightning Chase and he finished a close second to Balder Succes in the Grade 2 Pendil Chase at Kempton.
He has continued his progression this term, he dead-heated with Theatre Guide in a graduation chase at Kempton in November in a race that he probably should have won.
He split Balder Succes and Hunt Ball on disadvantageous weight terms back at Kempton in January, and he finished second to Rebel Rebellion at Ascot last time.
That is all really strong form. Rebel Rebellion ran a cracker to finish second to Soll over three miles off an 8lb higher mark at Exeter two weeks ago, while Balder Succes was impressive in beating Ma Filleule and Ballycasey and Theatre Guide in the Betfair Chase at Ascot last weekend, and is now one of the leading contenders for the Ryanair Chase.
Richie McLernon gave Fox Appeal a lovely patient ride at Ascot. He had him well back around the inside, jumping nicely and in a nice rhythm, but a bad mistake at the fifth last fence was not helpful, and he was just a little late in the home straight in getting out after the winner, who probably found more than it looked like he would.
Even so, Fox Appeal finished out his race well, leaving the impression that he was well worth trying at three miles.
He is bred to stay, he is by St Leger winner Brian Boru out of a Phardante mare who has already produced a bumper winner and a point-to-point winner.
Also, he won twice over three miles over hurdles. He has never been tried over three miles over fences, and there is a chance that he could improve significantly for the step up to this trip.
He has been raised 3lb for his Ascot run, which is not harsh, he goes well right-handed, and his record at Kempton reads 1312. He is worth backing at 6/1.
At Newcastle, Portrait King could be the answer to the Betfred Eider Chase again. Maurice Phelan’s horse was the answer to the race three years ago when he was seven, and there is evidence to suggest that he could be the answer to it again as a 10-year-old, even off a 9lb higher mark.
The Portrait Gallery gelding has only run seven times since then, he didn’t run at all between the 2012 Scottish National and his debut last season at Punchestown 18 months later, he has obviously had his issues. However, his last two runs suggest that his trainer has him in top form again.
On his penultimate run in the Conyngham Cup at Punchestown, he stayed on from a highly improbable position to get up and win, going away from long-time leader Rogue Angel on the run-in.
Then, on his latest run in the Grand National Trial over three and a half miles back at Punchestown, he gave best only to Robert Tyner’s highly progressive stayer Embracing Change, who was winning his fourth race on the bounce.
Given that Portrait King won the Eider three years ago, it is probable that his trainer has had today’s race as his target since the start of the season. His high weight of 11st 5lb is actually a positive in this race, given that the last 10 winners have all carried 11st or more, and that six of them have carried 11st 5lb or more.
He obviously goes well at Newcastle, he stays well and, in Denis O’Regan, he has a good rider who suits him well.
RECOMMENDED:
FOX APPEAL, 6/1 (generally) 1 point each-way,
PORTRAIT KING, 7/1 (generally) 1 point each-way,