2010 OLD ROAN CHASE AT AINTREE BETTING PREVIEW

We’ve got some solid action at Aintree this weekend as the UK shifts from flat to jumps racing for the next few months. The Old Roan Chase is one of the marquee races of the weekend with a number of well-respected jumpers taking part in this limited handicap.
All the top trainers have contenders out here but the one to really keep your eyes on is Silmi- the only selection in the race who isn’t using the Old Roan as a seasonal debut. The 6 year-old has been campaigned throughout the summer at Bangor, Market Rasen and Cartmel and will be seeking his third score on the bounce, albeit with a massive step up in class. Silmi just captured a listed handicap chase at Market Rasen and he looked like he had pace to space when coming home gamely at 16/1. He has some versatility and will benefit from coming into the race in a proven vein of form. He is facing off against Grade 1-level geldings so it is best to proceed with caution though you wouldn’t begrudge him a respectable finish.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Albertas Run represents the Jonjo O’Neill yard and he will likely have Tony McCoy aboard for the trip which looks right up his alley, distance-wise. He scored in the Grade 1 Melling Chase in his last race of the season and he boasts an elusive course & distance reference here that makes him tough to bet against. The main issue is going to be whether he needs the race or not, but you reckon that O’Neill has big plans for the nine year-old this season. He’s looking a popular Totetentofollow selection and a score here will likely see his antepost price collapse for some of the festival races he may be pointed at in 2011.
Master Medic comes into this one looking a real wildcard having been laid off since last year’s King George where he was pulled up, three out. That was his first step up to Grade 1 level and you reckon he had no chance against Kauto Star. He has beaten horses that have gone on to score at Grade 2 level (Atouchbetweenacara) and it might be that, even at nine years old, his connections still haven’t found the bottom of him yet. He’s an outside bet but with so many question marks looming over seasonal debuts, you have to assume that Venetia Williams thinks he has a genuine shot at this one.
Paul Nicholls’ Poquelin finished second to Albertas Run in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham but looked out of it before a UR in the Melling Chase. Poquelin and Ruby make a tough combination to beat and a second place in a Grade 1 indicates that he isn’t out of his depth at this level. With the right type of trip he could be a great selection and he will likely be listed at a competitive price. He’s a real threat over going listed as good and an Albertas Run/Poquelin forecast could be the big play on Saturday.
Tartak is the other contender who will likely see a fair amount of volume here and he’s shown that he does enjoy the Aintree surface, scoring in the Grade 2 John Smith’s Manifesto Novice Chase back in 2009. He didn’t have much of a season last year, not winning a single race but he was up against the likes of Deep Purple and Kauto Star in those outings. He’ll need to step it up a lot but he has scored at Grade 2 level before over this very course and, up against so many seasonal debutantes, it could be the opening he needs.
Monet’s Garden has beaten Albertas Run in a Grade 1 victory at Ascot and the two have faced off against each other three times in a row. It could be another battle between the two but you expect Poquelin to offer up a little bit extra if he can stay on his feet. Monet’s Garden isn’t the most consistent runner but he is capable of taking this one on his day. A Grade 1 winner, he is a few steps above the majority of this field.