'We're very hopeful' - Leech eyeing Summer Cup success with Anteros

bet365 Summer Cup Handicap Chase (Listed) | 3m2f, 4yo+ | SKY

Topweights have obliged in the last two runnings of the bet365 Summer Cup Handicap Chase but this race appears to lack a contender with the class of previous winners Brave Eagle (2019) and Virgilio (2018).

The Young Master is tasked with giving weight to the field and at 11 he is clearly vulnerable to a younger improver.

Six-year-old Padleyourowncanoe could be just that for Colin Tizzard and Harry Cobden, a combination who captured this in 2017 with Tempestatefloresco.

This dour stayer struck twice on the all-weather earlier this year and was sent off 7-4 favourite to defeat high-class handicappers Smart Champion, Carnwennan and Sir Chauvelin at Newcastle when fourth in February.

Considering Smart Champion has since finished a staying-on fourth in the Ascot Stakes and Carnwennan was sixth in the Northumberland Plate, the performance can be marked up.

Padleyourowncanoe: interesting contender for Colin TizzardCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Padleyourowncanoe was an impressive winner on his chasing debut last season but probably found the ground too soft when disappointing next time.

With better ground in his favour and just two runs under his belt in this sphere, he retains abundant potential as a staying chaser. A mark of 140 looks ripe for exploitation at some point.

The Philip Hobbs-trained For Good Measure is also worth a mention for similar reasons. The nine-year-old has never thrived in testing conditions and was unable to quicken in a 3m handicap chase on soft ground at Exeter in November when last in action.

However, his previous two starts at Warwick on better ground put him firmly in the mix off a mark of 128. For Good Measure registered Racing Post Ratings of 135 and 132 there and wind surgery last July certainly seems to have helped.

Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Karen Bowen, assistant to Peter Bowen, trainer of Henryville and Minella Daddy
They're both going really well at home and we were talking about which our sons Sean and James would ride and you wouldn't really know who would run the best; there wouldn't be much in it.

Katy Price, trainer of Minellacelebration
He's two from two at Uttoxeter and loves the track. He'll love the decent ground. He shows nothing at home – it's like riding a trekking pony. I ride him every day because he's so safe, but when he gets to the track he's a show horse and if he bucks in the paddock that's a sure sign of a good run.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Hepijeu
He'll like this good ground and has won at the track, while he was in good form when we put him away and seems in good form now, so I'd be hopeful of a good run. He's probably rated as high as he wants to be and it's a career-high mark. He's better in over hurdles, but seems to be better over fences and the extra two furlongs over fences is in his favour.

Hepijeu: trainer Stuart Edmunds (far left) hopeful of a good run in Summer Cup

Peter Niven, trainer of Brian Boranha
He's in good shape and will like the ground. He had a bit of a disappointing season last term on soft ground, but this will be better for him and he's been on the go plenty, so should put up a good show.

Charlie Mann, trainer of Pickamix
Our horses were wrong last season and the ground was too soft for him as well – he wants decent ground. He's won around Uttoxeter, so I'm hoping for a decent run. All the races are going to be competitive right now, but he's going well enough at home.

Christian Leech, assistant to Sophie Leech, trainer of Anteros
This has been the plan for a long time, ever since he hit form last summer. He used to really like soft and heavy ground over hurdles, but over fences he seems to have a marked preference for quicker ground. His preparation has been great and he's had an awayday, while Adrian Heskin gets on really well with him; they've won three together. We're very hopeful – the course is made for him and the way the race is run should really suit.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Bandsman
He's got a low weight and ran quite well over a trip at Carlisle last year. He's in good form, so I thought we'd let him take his chance. Nice ground is perfect for him and there are no excuses – if he stays he's got a big chance.

Reporting by James Burn

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