betdirectuk.com Handicap Chase tips

The betdirectuk.com Handicap Chase at Newbury on Saturday probably isn't as competitive a race as an initial glance may lead you to think. Indeed, in a race in which so many are either out of sorts, too high in the weights or just down right unpredictable, Brumous stands out like a shining beacon and, at 13/2 with bet365, is simply begging to be backed. It's not hard to imagine Alderburn being a popular choice. Henry Daly's charge scored well enough last time out and a 6lb rise looks pretty fair. Champion jockey AP McCoy is in the plate and the ground is in his favour, so you have to respect the eight-year-old. However, I can't help but think that he's vulnerable under top weight. The form of the race he won when last seen out at Kempton's Christmas meeting hasn't worked out at all well. Granted, he's hardly been heavily campaigned and, therefore is open to improvement, but in trying to concede 5lb to Brumous he faces a mountainous task in my opinion. The selection's trainer, Oliver Sherwood was adamant that the lightly-raced seven-year-old would be seen to better effect on a decent surface after he demonstrated plenty of resolve to outbattle the well-regarded Esprit Saint in a novices' chase on soft going at Leicester last month. That was just his second start over fences and, considering his lack of experience, he handled the obstacles with aplomb. Sure, this is a far stiffer test in many respects, but there are question marks surrounding so many of his rivals and, off of what could prove to be a lenient handicap mark, he is well worth supporting. Alexanderthegreat, Kenzo III and Nirvana Swing all look capable of bold shows, but it's rather disconcerting than the trio in question were all pulled up last time out. Out The Black hasn't got that many miles on the clock for horse of his age and has to come into the reckoning, but he looks high enough in the weights in my opinion and I'd be surprised if one or two weren't to prove too strong. Iznogoud has shaped well on a couple of occasions this season, notably when beaten just over four lengths into third behind Alderburn at Kempton in December. On 7lb better terms, David Pipe's charge must have a chance of reversing the placings, but I still find it hard to imagine him winning. Verdict - 1pt Brumous @ 13/2 (bet365)