Can Charbel land first win at Graded level in Edredon Bleu Chase?

2.25 Huntingdon
Tattersalls Ireland Edredon Bleu Chase (Registered as the Peterborough Chase) | 2m4f, 4yo+ | RUK

The Kim Bailey-trained Charbel bids for a first Graded success on the back of a narrow defeat to Politologue and heads the market for this Tattersalls Ireland Edredon Bleu Chase, run in memory of the four-time winner of this race.

Charbel, owned by Julie and David Martin, defeated subsequent BetVictor Gold Cup scorer Baron Alco at Chepstow in October, before finishing a half-length second in the Grade 2 Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot last month.

The seven-year-old has run several fine races in Graded company, including when a six-length second to Altior in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase in 2016 and when falling two out when leading the Racing Post Arkle later that season.

Bailey said of David Bass’ mount: “I was delighted with his performance at Ascot and he’s been in really good form since.

“It’s a competitive race and I would have preferred if it was over a couple of furlongs further, but there weren’t many options so we’ll take our chance and I’m very happy with him.”

Can God's Own score again?

Emotional scenes followed the victory of God's Own in the Haldon Gold Cup and trainer Tom George is hoping for more of the same.

The ten-year-old, once again partnered by Paddy Brennan, will have to defy a 6lb penalty for that success but hopes are high for the classy Crossed Fingers Partnership-owned chaser.

Paddy Brennan celebrates after God's Own's Haldon Gold Cup victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker

George said: “He arrives in good form and has had a clean run since Exeter, which is quite rare for him.

“It looks like he might get his favoured decent ground, and while it’s a competitive race there aren’t any others that have won three Grade 1 races.”

Will Hill bounce back to form?

Snow forced this £65,000 race to be moved to Taunton last season but it did not stop 2016 winner Josses Hill running another cracker when second to stablemate Top Notch.

The Alan Spence-owned ten-year-old lost his way thereafter but trainer Nicky Henderson is hoping a routine wind operation will help the two-time Grade 2 winner bounce back to form.

Henderson said: “He knows this race well and might as well run in it again!

Josses Hill: won this race in 2016 and was second last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

“He needs decent ground and a right-handed track so it suits him well and this is his best trip.

“He had a wind op over the summer as he was not running to the best of his ability in the spring. He’s hard to win with but runs well in this race.”

Another horse to have undergone wind surgery is the Jane Williams-trained Tea For Two, who will be ridden by the trainer’s daughter Lizzie Kelly.

The nine-year-old, who drops in company on his return from a summer break, provided his jockey with memorable days in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton in 2015 and the Aintree Bowl last year.

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Art Mauresque and San Benedeto
Art Mauresque continues to run some really good races and the less rain the better for him. San Benedeto has had some tough tasks in handicaps but he will appreciate this trip and often outruns expectations. They have live chances – on the balance of form Art Mauresque would have the stronger claims. Charbel is the one we all have to beat.

Peter Bowen, trainer of Beggar’s Wishes
We were disappointed with him last time but maybe we weren’t quite as hard on him in between his races. This is a good race and we wouldn’t know if he’s up to this grade, but he was an improving horse going into Newbury and we thought it was worth taking our chance.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Hammersly Lake
He was well beaten at Ascot but they went very slowly and it turned into a sprint, which would have been against him. An end-to-end gallop would suit him much better but it looks a tough race for him.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Rene’s Girl
She’s a good mare and looks fantastic but has to prove she can make the step up against the boys. It’s a very deep race and there are plenty of runners with a good chance.

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