2009 CHARLIE HALL CHASE BETTING TIPS

Ante-post favourite What A Friend has been removed from the running of the 2009 Charlie Hall Chase by trainer Paul Nicholls and this leaves Snoopy Loopy in prime condition to strike in this Grade 3 chase. There is plenty of quality names in this race including Ollie Magern, Tamarinbleu and Church Island set to contest against last year's Betfair Chase winner.

Snoopy Loopy is an absolute veteran of chases and he's had a relatively indifferent year in 2009, so many punters feel as though his time could be now. He was pulled up in 3 of his 4 outings this year including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and only managed a 5th place finish out of 10 in the totesport Bowl Chase at Aintree. Madison Du Berlais was the winner on the day. Snoopy Loopy is currently listed at 5/1 at Victor Chandler and I think that many punters may see this as a real upset opportunity.

Tamarinbleu has been very lightly-raced this year and will be making the first start since late March for David Pipe's outfit. The 9 year-old bay gelding is the current ante-post favourite at 9/4 with Victor Chandler. A third-place finish to Voy Por Ustedes in the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase shows strength and guile are in abundance here, it is very much Tamarinbleu's race to lose at this point.

Deep Purple is a progressive-looking horse who has had a very solid year running in Grade 2's and the odd novices' chase. Deep Purple and Paul Moloney have a lifetime average of 60% and having won above this level gives plenty of confidence. 3/1 against a field of 5 is still a quality price and if he runs the right type of race this looks a great opportunity.

Ollie McGern comes out for Nigel Twiston-Davies having not won a race since late 2007. The 11 year-old bay gelding did put in a solid outing in his last race, finishing 2nd to the talented Possol in a field of 22. He fell early in the Grand National was that was a real disappointment. I don't think he's got a shot against Tamarinbleu, but if mistakes are made, Ollie McGern could certainly capitalize. He is trading at 11/4.

Church Island is the longest shot in the competition and he's more heavily-raced than others in this contest, turning in an impressive 2nd place to the talented Northern Alliance in the Kerry National Handicap Chase, which is a Group B event. He takes a big step up in class here and his lifetime success rate in Chase's isn't terrible, but leaves a bit to be desired. He is available at 8/1.

I'll be backing Tamarinbleu and Deep Purple at the top end of my forecast with Snoopy Loopy on the bottom.