2009 TINGLE CREEK CHASE ANTEPOST BETTING TIPS

It was a really dramatic weekend in UK jumps racing and, while we likely won’t see anything resembling Denman’s incredible and gutsy victory for quite some time, I expect a cracking contest at Sandown in the 2009 Tingle Creek Chase. This is a two-mile chase over one of the most interesting steeplechase courses in Britain and I expect the famous Railway Fences to factor into the ultimate equation here.
As it currently stands, Big Zeb is the favourite to take this one over runners like Tidal Bay, Forpadydeplasterer and Well Chief.
Big Zeb, an 8 year-old Irish gelding is fresh off a victory in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Fortria Chase at Navan against a small field in early November. He ended his spring session with a 2nd place finish to Master Minded at Punchestown in late April in the Grade 1 Kerrygold Champions Chase. Victor Chandler has him listed at a slim 11/8 and he looks set to drop in price as we get closer to post time.
Well Chief is a lightly-raced 10 year-old who comes out of David Pipe’s system. He’s performed fairly well in the races that he’s run, only finishing outside the top 3 once since 2003. I don’t think a fall is a dramatic danger for him, but I do wonder how he’s going to shape up against the fresher Big Zeb, who has run at the highest level a bit more often. Well Chief did just strike in the Connaught Chase at Cheltenham in mid-November and he could be well-poised to capitalize on any mistakes. He is 7/2 in the Victor Chandler antepost market.
Twist Magic is Paul Nicholls chief effort here with his 7 year-old French gelding. His season got off to a mediocre start in the William Hill Gold Cup Chase Limited Handicap at Exeter in early November where he came 3rd against a solid field of 9. He did defeat the talented Kalahari King last year in the Bet365 Celebration Chase over the same course and distance. I think Twist Magic has a lot to prove and he’s a very solid bet here, although I wish there was a touch more value.
Forpadydeplasterer is definitely one of the fans favourites coming into this race with the well-respected Irish runner boasting a win or 2nd place finish in his past 7 races. He came a disappointing 2nd in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Chase at Down Royal but his victory in last year’s Arkle at Cheltenham over a tough field of 17 will provide plenty of credentials against a field that he can definitely beat. I think he’s a great bet for your forecast selections and an each-way on him may pay off solid dividends. You’ll find Forpadydeplasterer at 6/1 with Victor Chandler.