The signs of awakening from the National Hunt slumbers are increasing by the day and a sure sign that winter is on the way is the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, a longtime early season highlight.
This Grade 2 has been the starting point to the campaign for many a Gold Cup and King George winner down the years and this season there is a strong possibility that another top-class staying chaser will lay down a marker.
Run around a sharp three-miles on good ground at Wetherby, it’s the ultimate test of jumping and our expert, Clive Gildon, is on hand to assess the big race. He has a couple of fancies, including a big outsider, who are worth considering in one of the best races at the West Yorkshire track all year.
2.58 - bet365 Charlie Hall Chase
The big event on day one is the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase and the value might lie with Conflated, who has been running consistently well in higher grades and should appreciate an easier contest.
He was third in the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Down Royal on this day last season and went on to finish third in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and second in the Melling Chase at Aintree. Both of those runs were over short of this 3m trip, but he has no problem with this distance on a sharp track.
He is also suited by good ground, so the drying conditions won’t be a problem, and it’s no bad thing that he has a run behind him either. Many of his rivals will be coming here having not run this season, but Conflated was seen out at Punchestown 17 days ago and will be even fitter here.
It’s not ideal that he unseated Jack Kennedy on that occasion at the first, but there is every chance that he can bounce back. He is the highest rated in the race by the BHA and can stamp his class.
Don’t discount Hang In There at a bigger price. The Emma Lavelle-trained runner is at his best on good ground around a tight track like this and has a fitness edge as he has been running all summer.
He has been carrying big weights in handicaps and was last seen finishing a good second at Worcester in August, attempting to concede 22lb to the runner-up. That was the second time in succession that he carried a big weight to be placed under Joe Anderson, who gets on well with him.
Anderson is back on again and unable to claim his 3lb, but that shouldn’t make a massive difference and the rider partnered Hang In There to his last success in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter in June. A reproduction of that victory, off a BHA mark of 155, would give Hang In There every chance.
This is a much hotter race against better rivals, but Hang In There is no forlorn hope against horses who have fitness to prove and is the third-highest rated in the race, yet is priced a huge outsider.
SELECTION: CONFLATED
NEXT BEST: HANG IN THERE
