Cheltenham Festival - Foxhunters Chase Preview

The Foxhunters Chase can often be one of the quieter betting heats at the Cheltenham Festival due to the time of its running which is directly after the Gold Cup – and the tradition that most of the runners are point-to-pointers that have little form under rules.

But the 2012 renewal should be a worthy spectacle in its own right judging by the entries and the inclusion of a number of former high class chasers.

Barbers Shop, owned by Her Majesty the Queen, has embarked on a new chapter hunter chasing after his career went slightly awry.

Still trained by Nicky Henderson, Barbers Shop is former Gold Cup runner and has rediscovered his form following comfortable successes at Fontwell and Fakenham.

The ten-year-old will have to step up markedly on those efforts to take a hand in this race; however that would be no surprise if he can summon even more of his old ability.

At 14/1, Barbers Shop is a huge price to do just that and he looks set to be one of the more popular selections in the field.

Chapoturgeon is another horse hoping to put his best foot forward and back to back hunter chase wins for the grey have put Jack Barber’s charge at the head of the market.

The eight-year-old also has previous Cheltenham form having run well in a paddy Power Gold Cup and his favouritism is likely to remain until the off.

My Flora is the most consistent horse in the field having tallied five wins from six runs this season.

Trainer Mrs Edward Crow is hardly well known to the majority of the racing world, nevertheless My Flora and connections have to be respected based on her solid form to date.

A mare’s weight allowance will also aid My Flora’s cause and she should at least run to her ante post price of around 9/1.

Enda Bolger has an excellent reputation in these kind of races and this year the Irish handler will send seven-year-old On The Fringe into battle.

The horse returned from a near twelve month absence when third at Leopardstown recently but better is to be expected around Cheltenham where JT McNamara is likely to pick up the ride.

In terms of narrowing down the field, punters should be able to easily dismiss a number of runners who have yet to record any notable form on the racecourse proper.

It is worth looking out for the big trainers who have a runner – and thus the chances of Cloudy Lane and Enter paradise have to be evaluated for the Donald McCain and Charlie Mann stables respectively.

But providing a clear round of jumping can be achieved, this could well play out between Barbers Shop and Chapoturgeon who both have a strong amount of chasing experience in better company.

Chapoturgeon perhaps still holds the greater engine, but Barbers Shop will be bang in contention if he jumps well and is taken to stay best up the stamina sapping run in.

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09/03/2012     © Frixo 2024