bet365 Charlie Hall Chase Betting Tips

The bet365 Charlie Hall Chase has cut up somewhat since the entries were announced at the five-day stage, but it's still set to be a fascinating race, with David Pipe's Our Vic heading the betting at 7/2 with the sponsors. Our Vic clearly goes well fresh. He won on his debut in a bumper during the 2002/03 campaign, and has won first time out in his two subsequent seasons in training under Rules, including when landing the Paddy Power Gold Cup last November. The David Johnson-owned gelding acts when conditions are pretty testing, so the soft surface at Wetherby won't pose a problem. But the trip of 3m1f on this stiff track in what is likely to be a truly run race could amount to a big problem for the eight-year-old. Despite having scored over 3m at Ascot as a novice in 2004, Our Vic's two subsequent outings over similar staying trips have done little to suggest that stamina is his forte. Indeed, all three of his victories last season were gained at around the 2m5f mark, which appears to be his optimum. With the likes of Kingscliff, Royal Emperor and Neptune Collonges in the line-up a strong pace looks sure to ensue, which could prove Our Vic's undoing, and Irish raider Church Island, a 7/1 chance with the sponsors, looks the best equipped to deal with the task in hand. Michael Hourigan's charge improved significantly last term and, despite unseating his rider in back to back starts last December, his jumping is generally very sound. The seven-year-old won five races last term, demonstrating his ability to handle any going while displaying the requisite pace to score over 2m4f and the sufficient stamina for 3m. The selection was pulled up when last seen out at the Punchestown Festival in April. However, he is best forgiven that, as he had been on the go all through the summer and was probably feeling the effects of what was an intensive campaign. Church Island travels well in his races and is bound to be fully wound up for this return to action. As one of the few entries with scope for improvement, he makes plenty of appeal in a race in which the lion's share of his rivals have searching questions to answer. Neptune Collonges has yet to jump fences in public on this side of the Channel but he was a winner of five of his six chase starts in his native France, a haul which included a Grade 3 contest. Like Church Island, the Paul Nicholls-trained grey won't be found wanting for stamina, and will not be inconvenienced by underfoot conditions. But, at around the 4/1 mark, the five-year-old looks plenty short enough. Iris's Gift is offered at around 7/1 and it will be interesting to see how he fares with Jonjo O'Neill's team in rude health, although he failed to complete on his last two starts of the 2005/06 campaign and remains a risky proposition. Last year's second and third in this contest, Kingscliff and Take The Stand respectively, merit respect, but the latter would prefer better ground while Robert Alner's charge proved disappointing after winning the Betfair Chase at Haydock last November and it has to be taken on trust that he can bounce back. Verdict - 1pt Church Island @ 7/1 (bet365)