The sponsors have installed Fistral Beach as 6/1 favourite for the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster on Saturday, January 29th following the latest forfeit stage on Tuesday left 54 acceptors.
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The entries are headed by the152-rated The Tother One (16/1), who, along with the ante-post favourite, is one of six entries for Paul Nicholls whose stable took the last running of the 3m Listed Handicap Chase in 2009 with subsequent Grand National sixth Big Fella Thanks.
The Champion trainer’s sextet is completed by Breedsbreeze (12/1), Take The Breeze (12/1), Meanus Dandy (14/1), Taranis (16/1), Pasco (20/1), while Fistral Beach is considered a likely runner in the £75,000 guaranteed contest rather than have another crack at the Racing Post Chase next month.
An impressive winner at Wincanton last Saturday of the Higos Insurance Services Handicap Chase, the eight-year-old had been sent off favourite for last year’s renewal of the Racing Post Chase only to make an early exit when unseating at the second fence.
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Aberdale shares next best billing at 10/1 in Sky Bet’s betting with Nicky Henderson’s mare Carole’s Legacy, a brave runner-up to Tartak at Cheltenham on her last start.
Sky Bet’s Head of Racing Richard Horner said: ‘Although the weights will not be revealed until next week, Aberdale is one we want to keep on side as he will get a lovely racing weight if the topweight stays in and novices have a good record in our race.’
Irish raider Killyglen, who is a 20/1 chance with the sponsors, is another set to line up at Doncaster as part of his Grand National preparation for his new yard.
The winner of the Mildmay Chase in 2009 when trained by Howard Johnson has since joined Irish handler Stuart Crawford finishing down the field behind Kauto Star when last seen over fences at Down Royal.
The Sky Bet spokesman Matt Doyle added: ‘Last year’s renewal was lost to the cold snap, but we are proud to continue our sponsorship of one of the premier staying chases run in the north and it looks as competitive as ever at this stage with us betting 10/1 bar the favourite.’
Sky Bet Chase, Doncaster, Saturday, January 29th: sponsor’s bet -
6/1 Fistral Beach, 10/1 Aberdale, 10/1 Carole’s Legacy, 12/1 Carruthers, King Fontaine, Blazing Bailey, Take The Breeze, Breedsbreeze, 14/1 Meanus Dandy, Presenting Forever, Calgary Bay, 16/1 I’moncloudnine, Ikorudu Road, Mobaasher, Sarde, Taranis, The Tother One, West End Rocker, Buffalo Bob, 20/1 Chief Dan George, Edbbriar, Far More Serious, Khacturian, Killyglen, Alderburn, Merigo, Pasco, Ringaroses, Sa Suffit, Sherrif Hutton, Theatrical Moment, 25/1 bar
Place terms: ¼ odds, first four places
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