Chief Dan George will be looking to retain his title when he goes to the tapes for the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase. The James Moffatt-trained eleven-year-old held off a late surge from The Package last year to win at 33/1 but it will be a tough task for the ageing gelding as some up-and-coming contenders are set to collide this year.
After his magnificent display on New Year's Day at Cheltenham the Alan King-trained Blazing Bailey is 14/1 favourite for the three mile contest. His exquisite jumping handed him an 11-length rout of a decent field and if he can reproduce that sort of performance must be the one they all have to beat.
In a wide open contest there is a quartet on 16/1 with Bensalem, Great Endeavour, Sunnyhillboy and Junior all likely to give the favourite some problems. Bensalem ran an adequate race in the Cleeve Hurdle behind the masterful Grands Crus but his jumping has always had its question marks and is one to avoid.
Junior has been a solid yardstick for many years and has performed to high levels on the flat, over hurdles and also over the larger obstacles. At 16/1 he is definitely one to look out for and if David Pipe's gelding can reproduce the performance that saw him finish third behind the improving Midnight Chase in November he must have a chance.
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