Bookmakers seem to be scratching their heads
over Twist Magic with Betfred as short as 9/4 but a host of
other firms as chunky as 3/1. It’s obvious that main point
of debate will focus on his last race at Ascot in the Victor
Chandler Chase when he went out like a light in the bog-like
conditions. Nicholls claimed later he shouldn’t have run him
but were conditions that different to his spirited win in
the Tingle Creek at Sandown? Let the debate rage…
On the day Twist Magic triumphed at Sandown Master Minded
(3/1 with Boylesports and Paddy Power) hadn’t even run in
the UK before. Three runs later though and this five year
old is challenging Twist for favouritism. His win at Sandown
in January was satisfactory but he followed up in splendid
fashion in the Game Spirit at Newbury slamming Voy Por
Ustedes by 5 lengths. Can he improve further? Will the
progression continue? Or is he too young at just five to win
a Champion Chase?
Voy Por Ustedes has never really captured the
imagination of the public despite winning an Arkle and
Champion Chase in consecutive years – poor horse! But this
line of thought was backed up by his display in the Game
Spirit, where the relatively inexperienced Master Minded
outclassed him. Alan King’s horse loves Cheltenham and loves
Festival time so he has to be respected to defend his crown.
You can back him at 4/1 with a number of firms.
In terms of a value bet you’d have to side with Tamarinbleu
in the Champion Chase. The David Pipe horse can be backed at
15/2 with Hills and his performances this season certainly
make him a real contender for the 2-mile chasing crown.
Starting off in the serene surroundings of Perth in
mid-summer Tamarinbleu has went on to win the Boylesports
Gold Cup just before Christmas and then ran Twist Magic
ragged in the Victor Chandler Chase the following month as
he boasted a 12 length win. Can this great run continue come
March 12th?
Champion Chase Other Contenders
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In terms of strength in depth this year’s Champion Chase
certainly struggles to come up with the goods but it the
ground comes up soft Irish challenger Nickname simply has to
be respected at odds of 33/1. On testing ground there are
few better at this distance.Last year’s Arkle second Fair Along has been lightly
campaigned this season and although it’s a big ask odds of
20/1 could look silly on the day.
Newmill was a shock winner of this race back in 2006 and
although he’s failed to reproduce that level of form
recently his past endeavours mean he has to be respected.
