'This looked the best opportunity for him' - who can take advantage of small field in Listed Colin Parker Memorial Chase?

The fact the Colin Parker is only a Listed race simply undersells it. Just look at the calibre of horse it can attract.  

Among the last ten winners were subsequent victors of the Grand National (Many Clouds), Ascot Chase (Waiting Patiently) and Betfair Chase (Lostintranslation), a group that doesn't even account for horses such as Ahoy Senor, Bristol De Mai, Corach Rambler and Cyrname. Those top-class chasers were all found wanting in Carlisle's annual highlight.

It is seen as an opportune starting point for a second-season chaser building towards bigger targets, although this running could lack a star with Grey Dawning having been pulled out by Dan Skelton due to conditions being faster than ideal. 

His absence provides a golden opportunity for the other four, whose BHA marks range from a low of 137 (Top Of The Bill) to a high of 146 (Marble Sands). 

Marble Sands receives 6lb from the lower-rated Colonel Harry and is the only race-fit runner in the line-up. On these terms David Killahena and Graeme McPherson's runner is the one to beat and this looks a smart piece of placing.  

Two recent spins on the all-weather at Kempton and Southwell should have removed any rustiness for this return to chasing and a sound surface suits. 

For all that Colonel Harry, Traprain Law and Top Of The Bill need to improve to reach Marble Sands's level, that is not ruled out as we are still dealing with relatively inexperienced chasers. Of that group Traprain Law, a pacey two-miler who is only six, will be of major interest if staying this longer trip for Lucinda Russell.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Snowden believes Colonel can lead from the front

Jamie Snowden hopes a strong seasonal reappearance from Grade 2 winner Colonel Harry can help his preparations for Newbury's Coral Gold Cup this month.

Owned by The GD Partnership, who landed Newbury's flagship jumps race with Datsalrightgino last year, the seven-year-old is making his first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree in April.

Colonel Harry: makes his return to action for Lambourn trainer Jamie SnowdenCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Colonel Harry won last season's Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby and Snowden said: "He's in great order and he obviously had a great year last year. We're very much gearing his early-season campaign around the Coral Gold Cup, so he needs a prep run as history dictates the winner of that Newbury race have all had a run before.

"We're conscious the ground has been drying everywhere, but this looked the best opportunity for him and I'm looking forward to seeing him out."

What they say

Graeme McPherson, joint-trainer of Marble Sands
We've had this race as his target for a good while now; the conditions of the race work out really well for him. The ground looks ideal, he's won well over the trip before and he's in good order after a couple of spins on the Flat. He should run a really nice race.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Top Of The Bill
He's very good and he'll run well. He's a nice horse and he did very well last season, so hopefully he can have a nice run round.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Traprain Law
He's really good and I'm looking forward to getting him back on the track. His winning has been done left-handed over two miles on heavy ground, but this will be a different test. If it works it'll open up other races for him.
Reporting by Liam Headd

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