Tuesday 21st January
By SP2A Analysis
LEICESTER 2.53 - Handicap Chase - Class 5 - 2 miles 6 and 1/2 furlongs - 11 run - Soft > Heavy
At the top of the market both Camulus and Lazy Sunday come from a race at Lingfield where they finished third and second respectively, which was seen as a decent quality race at the time. That form will be tested today and whilst both look nice types I can't split them for win purposes. Shilanavogy is in the TRACKER and has a 6lbs penalty for a win at Fontwell, a very different track to this and again I'm not seeing each way value at the price. How And Ever is also currently in the TRACKER but after being pulled up the last twice we'll have to see if a "wind operation" delivers a return to what was a very promising career. Traveling Soldier from the very much in form Olly Murphy yard is also on a recovery mission and both Fatique De L'isle and Haveanothergoflo have flattered to deceive a few times but could click at some point.
I looked very long and hard at Goguenard at a big price as this one has a few bits of very decent Hurdles form but has yet to click over fences and it's one I genuinely think can win Chase races, hopefully not today but if you want a small punt feel free but, at similarly big odds HAS TROKE does look worth a small each way investment. A Chase winner at Newcastle over 2 miles and 7 furlongs in deep ground off a mark of 99, has had 2 quiet runs recently but should now be fully fit and worth a small each each way investment. (The Advisor)
DOWN ROYAL 3.47 Handicap Chase - 3 iles - 10 run Good to Yielding
One of the best Chase tracks anywhere and a test of jumping and stamina
Whatey's Quest is up 11lbs and in trip and Read To Return doesn't jump off the page to be backed at 11/4. Money Heist is a solid contender and Elliott runs a pair in SHAJAK and Sea Aster who both clearly have good engines but for whom so far the Fences have been a real issue. We've considered SHAJAK a few times and he would be second best rated here with his stablemate third best rated and if you want a second poke it would be SHAJAK.
Marronstown and Now Where Or When have bits of form that given them hope, a mark of 107 probably sums up the former and the latter could nick a place.
The one who really intrigues me though is CLONMEEN. A Course and Distance winner off a mark of 105, went on to win another race off a mark of 114, then struggled with an increased mark above 120 in some really very decent races at a higher level last season. That has obviously impacted confidence a little but this looks a viable race on form of just 12 -18 months ago and back to a mark of 116 and at 28/1 plus, I think a cracking speculative each way poke! (Michael)