Huntingdon Jumps 24/2/22
2:45 Huntingdon
2m½f Visit racingtv.com Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (5yo+ 0-135)
This race is interesting as the field is small but two of the horses have ran against each other before.
I don’t want to waste time discussing the pros and cons of Caddyhill and Storm Rising. While both have a small chance, I would not want to back against either of the top two in the betting with either of these. They would need to show a lot of progression to feature.
The danger to my selection is Galop De Chasse, who is the odds on favourite at the time of writing. He’s an ex French horse who has turned into a good class 4 chaser since his move from Daniela Mele to Venetia Williams, winning two from 4 races. His rating has gone up 13lb since the first win on these shores.
Charlie Deutsch is excellent and has won on him twice before.
Knowing little about the internal workings of horses I am a little concerned about any effects caused during a race by an irregular heart beat that was discovered in his second race in Britain. His jumping seems to be improving, but last time he was jumping left. Huntingdon is right handed which could put him at a disadvantage, although he has won travelling in both directions. The incline of the run in will not help him with his current rating and last time he was here he raced from a 6lb lower weight with a 5lb claimer on-board giving him an 11lb advantage over today and he came second in a class 4 on good to soft.
He’s entered into a class 2 at the weekend so Venetia must think a lot of him.
Gary Moore is the top trainer at Huntingdon this season. His son, Jamie Moore, the top jockey at Huntingdon this season, is riding the confusingly named chestnut Golden Boy Grey.
I feel Gary would not have entered the gelding into this race if he felt he could not beat Galop De Chasse as this will be a rematch between the animals. Last time they raced together it’s fair to say Golden Boy Grey made a bit of a Horlicks of his jumping. This is forgivable as it was Galop De Chasse’s 6th run chasing that day and Golden Boy Grey was having his chase debut.
Moore’s runner is more experienced now having completed three chases, winning one class 3 on soft and coming second in both a class 4 and a class 3, showing consistency and a touch of class. He’s been running his races in decent times and has proved versatile on different types of ground. The gelding’s jumping has improved a great deal since the last meeting of the two.
In this rematch Galop De Chasse has to give 9lb to Golden Boy Grey, which may turn out to be a big ask considering Golden Boy Grey was only 5 ½ lengths behind him in the heavy at Lingfield. I think Golden Boy Grey will be able to keep Galop De Chasse at bay on the run in and score his second chase victory for his connections.
Selection: Golden Boy Grey 15/8 Coral Bog
Danger: Galop De Chasse