Richard Birch analysis as Town Parks primed for big run after rock-solid return

2.07 Hereford
Pertemps Handicap Chase | 2m5f, 4yo+ | Sky

Proven race-fitness and reliable course form could offer the key components to unlocking this interesting seven-runner puzzle.

While talented veterans Garde La Victoire and King’s Odyssey reappear off lower marks than during their prime, the two-years younger Town Parks arrives on the back of a rock-solid Stratford return last month.

The Kerry Lee-trained chaser was doing his best work towards the finish of that 2m3½f handicap, and may have caught Fanzio in a few more strides.

The step up in trip will definitely suit Town Parks, as will the return to Hereford where he boasts course form figures of 124 over fences when rated in the 120s.

He competes off 129 this time, which is 2lb higher than at Stratford but only 1lb above his winning rating from January 2018 when he thumped Silverhow by four and a half lengths over course and distance. Any further rain will boost his chance.

The lightly raced improver Highest Sun could provide the biggest threat. The Colin Tizzard-trained six-year-old remains relatively unexposed following just six starts over fences, and ran well to finish seventh behind Imperial Aura in Cheltenham’s Listed 2m4f novice handicap chase at the festival when last seen in March.

The runner-up Galvin and fourth Whatmore have franked that form in recent weeks.

Ashoka, now 9lb lower than when he kicked off his 2019-20 campaign last November, takes the eye for trainer Dan Skelton from a handicapping perspective. He won off 130 at Aintree in June 2019, and is rated 126 now.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Garde La Victoire
He's a grand old servant who has a lot of weight, but you'd expect that as he's the best horse in the race. He may need his first run back, but is fit enough to do himself justice.

Evan Williams, trainer of King's Odyssey
He's a grand old boy and ready to start back, but ideally he could do with a splash of rain before post time. He'll run his usual race I'm sure and if I had a yard full of horses like him I'd be very happy.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Highest Sun
He was seventh in the novice handicap chase at Cheltenham last time. He's got plenty of ability when it all clicks and is a much bigger and stronger horse this season. We're not sure if his best trip is two and a half or three miles.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Ashoka
He has a fitness edge on some of these but didn't run that well on his return. The track, trip and ground should be fine.

Henry Oliver, trainer of Hard To Forget
He's a stuffy horse so will probably need the run, while the ground may be a bit quicker than he likes as he needs a good bit of dig.
Reporting by David Milnes

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