The BetBright Chase (formerly the Racing Post Chase) is the highlight of Saturday’s Kempton card. The race has certainly lost much of its significance as a Cheltenham/Aintree trial in recent seasons with Rough Quest (1996) the last winner to go on to big race success.
Back in the 1980’s and early 90’s the roll of honour includes Combs Ditch, Rhyme ‘N’ Reason, Bonanza Boy and Desert Orchid. I don’t think we will see anything of that calibre this weekend but there are a number of horses on the comeback trail for Aintree.
Rocky Creek finished fifth in last year’s Grand National and has been aimed at Aintree again this season. He made a pleasing start when second in Ireland but pulled up in the Hennessy at Newbury. Godsmejudge won the Scottish National in 2013 and ran a fine race last year when finishing runner-up to Al Co. That race will almost certainly be on his agenda again this spring but he is also coming off the back of a disappointing run at Doncaster.
Nicky Henderson has entered Rajdhani Express for the National but I suspect more in hope than expectation. He has yet to win over three miles and is being tried in a hood for the first time on Saturday. Staying the three miles is also a concern for Emma Lavelle’s Fox Appeal, although he has done so over hurdles.
Paul Nicholls also saddles Easter Day and this one has a lot more going for it than Rocky Creek. He was smart enough to beat RSA Chase winner O’Faolains Boy as a novice and was having only his second race back from injury when falling at Cheltenham last time out. He was still going well just behind the leaders and it was an unlucky fall at the tricky third last fence. He should go well for Nick Scholfield and looks fairly treated with 10st 13lb on his back.
My other fancy for the race is Le Reve who beat Theatrical Star by five lengths over this trip at Sandown last month. That was his third win at the Esher course but he did win at Kempton over hurdles and there are similarities. The handicapper has put him up 7lbs but jockey Leighton Aspell was able to take a pull with three to jump and he looks good each-way value at around 10-1.
Le Reve 3.45 Kempton Saturday @10-1 Paddy Power
Easter Day 3.45 Kempton Saturday @5-1 Paddy Power
Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
