3.15 Doncaster: 'This is a bit of a target' - top trainers on their Sky Bet Chase hopefuls

The Sky Bet Chase has long been a haven for good-ground staying chasers who race in midwinter, although the ground is not as dependably quick as official descriptions would have it. 

Since frost claimed the 2013 running, the ground has been described officially as good four times, soft three times and twice good to soft. Times would raise queries with a few of those assessments, always saying it was softer than the official, although in fairness to officials at the track the softening has often been the result of rain on the day.

Doncaster's reputation as a dry track in winter holds for as long as it does not rain. When freshly wet, it cuts up as much as anywhere. Connections of Paddy Power winner and likely favourite Ga Law will hope the dry forecast holds.

You might think the same of Cap Du Nord and Undersupervision, given their records at the track, but it is not necessarily true. Cap Du Nord has been third twice in this race, both times off higher marks and once on soft ground, and it was soft when Undersupervision won Doncaster's other big staying handicap, the Grimthorpe Chase, in March. Both horses might well have been trained with this race in mind.

Although you have to go back five years to find a non-veteran winner, this year's Sky Bet looks to have more than its share of progressive types. Aside from Ga Law, Tea For Free is top of that last and Java Point is also in the form of his life, as well as being unexposed as a stayer. 

Cooper's Cross could also fit into that category and, although this might look an ambitious target, he has been running well of late in Class 2s over shorter, while suggesting he will benefit from this longer trip. 

Sky Bet have become synonymous with enhanced each-way terms and punters should be looking to take advantage of those in a deep running of the company's flagship race.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Laying down the Law

Connections of Ga Law have more of the bookmakers' money in their sights in Doncaster's feature contest.

After landing the £160,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November, Ga Law attempts to follow up in a £100,000 race which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Sky Bet sponsorship this year.

That success 11 weeks ago was gained over two and a half miles, yet the way he came from three lengths down at the final fence to lead on the run-in, then stayed on determinedly to hold on in front, encourages the hope he will be as effective over this three-mile trip, if not more so.

Ga Law: Paddy Power winner steps up in trip at Doncaster on Saturday

"Stamina won him the day in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, " said trainer Jamie Snowden. "We decided to step him up in trip on the back of that and it should help him.

"He's in tip-top form and I couldn't be happier with him but he's 8lb higher and he has top weight. He's a classy horse and I hope he can defy that."

What they say

Ross Chapman, rider of Windsor Avenue
I'm looking forward to it. If he's on a going day he'll not be far away, he won well last year. I'll get him out the gates and try to get a nice lead out wide and see what happens.

Nick Alexander, trainer of Elvis Mail
I've been wanting to try him over three miles for a while. There's no reason to think he won't stay, and if he gets it he should run a big race.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Mister Coffey
He ran a good race at Chepstow first time out, he just needed it and had a blow between three and two out. He's in good order and he has to go left handed. We'll see where this takes us. I was thinking about the National Hunt Chase.

Kerry Lee, trainer of Demachine
He ran a very nice race at Newbury on ground that was plenty quick enough, then he wasn't suited by the hill at Cheltenham, hence he runs on a flatter track here. He's raring to go and we're looking forward to it.  

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Cloth Cap
His rating's come down a bit. I just hope he runs well. He's in great form at home.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Tea For Free
He has a fantastic record in chases and he'll like the decent ground. It's another massive step up for him but he's risen to the occasion every time and I hope he can do it again.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Undersupervision
We know he likes Doncaster after winning the Grimthorpe. He got a bit bogged down at Newbury in the Mandarin on a day when almost nothing finished. He ran very well at Cheltenham the time before, so we’re hopeful.

Christian Williams, trainer of Cap Du Nord
He always comes good after the turn of the year and this is a bit of a target. It was brilliant when we found he was going to be in the handicap proper and the good ground will suit him better than in the last two years here.
Reporting by David Carr

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