Can Gumball prove he is back to his best on return to chasing?

Durdar Graduation Chase | 2m | 4yo+ | RTV

One of the most memorable races of last season came at Cheltenham’s November meeting when Gumball put in a breathtaking round of jumping and was in the process of thrashing Eldorado Allen only to fall with the race apparently at his mercy at the second-last fence.

Given Eldorado Allen went on to finish second in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival and won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on Tuesday, that form looks even better now but Gumball didn’t win a race over jumps after that and ended up back on the Flat this summer.

The popular seven-year-old grey made a winning start for new trainer Fergal O’Brien on the Flat at York last month and that’s an unusual route to take as a prep for a return to chasing.

However, it has proved a positive path for others in the recent past and, since the start of 2016, seven of the 28 horses who had won on the Flat on their previous start before running in a chase were successful. That’s a 25 per cent strike-rate for a minor profit of 27p to £1 level stakes.

Minella Drama also takes an unusual route into the race because he is stepped up quite markedly in class having run in only one chase, albeit having won impressively first time.

He repeatedly jumped right around left-handed Uttoxeter that day but thrashed his rivals, while his standout piece of form over hurdles ties in with one of the most exciting horses in training, My Drogo, as he was second to him at Aintree.

This right-handed track will suit Minella Drama better and he should improve at this course.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Alan O'Keeffe, assistant to Jennie Candlish, trainer of Cheddleton
He was lame after the Kingmaker, which answers why he was disappointing. He has to give weight away, but this looks a good starting point and he's a course-and-distance winner, while ours seem to be pretty forward. It's not the easiest race to be starting in, but I can see him running a nice race and we think a lot of him. We always have and he's bigger and stronger this season.

Nick Alexander, trainer of Elvis Mail
This is always where we planned to start after his fall at Aintree last season. He had a minor injury from that, so was turned out to grass late and came back late, but he's been in great form for the last couple of months. He's around 90 per cent fit and will definitely come on for this. I hope he'll have a clear run and get back on track, but if he can step up to the next level it will probably be over further.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Champagnesuperover
We're probably starting over an inadequate trip, but there aren't a lot of options for him and I wasn't keen on running him in a handicap on his first start over fences. He's in good nick and easy ground on a slow track is a nice starting point, but he'll improve when he goes up in trip. He was a bit hit and miss over hurdles, but he's always had plenty of ability and hopefully we can see that chasing.
Reporting by James Burn

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