Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase 2018

[ComplyOrDie]

Main bet is on Traffic Fluide but fear he'll be heading to the Close Brothers, if so, I'll be lumping on more dosh!

This race tends to be kind to horses coming back again, and I like horses who have ran in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase. So I'm taking the 10/1's on offer for Singlefarmpayment who was running a decent race in the Ladbrokes before falling, think he could have placed. Remember a lot of talk of this horse and quite a few backing him early for that race

Would have liked a little bit more in terms of price, but given I'm struggling to find anything else...

I'm with you on SFP Opatcho, one of the first horses I backed when NRNB came in to play

[opatcho]

Also, his run in the Cotsword chase appears to be nothing more than a run to keep him fit, a 145 horse running off level weights! No chance!!!! .... so why run him....? To keep him fit for this

[Kevloaf]

I can 100% see a case for him too VF, but the Coo Star Sivola form for me, is weak, I think CSS is a poor price too if I am being perfectly honest, so personally am ignoring that point and looking at the rest of the evidence you have supplied, which in fairness is pretty strong, there will certainly be worse 33/1 pokes around for sure.

I love course form for Cheltenham, just something I always have in the back of my mind, especially for the handicaps.

I do think he is massively exposed which would be a worry, but like you have said he seems to have come in to some sort of form, which is a bonus, as he looked like he had lost his way this season before the turn of the new year. He does have a couple of these held, including CSS on that running at Cheltenham in January, and given the price discrepancy between them he is now one I am contemplating.

Would being exposed be that much of a worry in this race CoD?

Un Temp Port Tout twice, The Druids Nephew, Holywell the last 4 winners and none of them were unexposed types from memory?

[ComplyOrDie]

Also, his run in the Cotsword chase appears to be nothing more than a run to keep him fit, a 145 horse running off level weights! No chance!!!! .... so why run him....? To keep him fit for this

To keep him fit, and given he was never going to have any chance his mark wouldn't have been affected in any way

Has to go close, again.

[ComplyOrDie]

Would being exposed be that much of a worry in this race CoD?

Un Temp Port Tout twice, The Druids Nephew, Holywell the last 4 winners and none of them were unexposed types from memory?

True, and tbf, as I noted, he may be exposed but he has shown a much better level of form recently to suggest there is still something in him that warrants him being a bet at a nice price.

[Viking Flagship]

Just been looking at this chap

Afraid the handicapper has him for this one, but I can see him placing. Has great course form

I don’t think he’s got loads in hand by any stretch (not many in this race have), but what makes you so sure he’s handicapped out of it Opatcho? He won a competitive Cheltenham handicap only 12 months ago off 149 so 152 with Bowen’s claim is surely within reach? There’s even potential improvement at 3 miles.

You can pick holes in him definitely, but in terms of handicap mark I think the proof is there that it’s achievable.

[Viking Flagship]

I think you make a good case there VF.

Certainly like the Coo Star Sivola angle, as that is one I've already backed.

I did take note when James Bowen was booked, as I thought he'd be used on Gold PResent to take some of the weight off his back... I suppose NdB will be on in the GN and already knows that horse and James Bowen has never ridden him...so probably just makes more sense all round.

I might wait and see if he's 33s when extra places turn up.... but good case.

Thought about waiting too Kev but saw there was some 16s around and didn’t want to take the chance. Not sure he’d be for me at 16s.

[Kevloaf]

Thought about waiting too Kev but saw there was some 16s around and didn’t want to take the chance. Not sure he’d be for me at 16s.

Yes I just took 36.75/1 with WH

[opatcho]

I don’t think he’s got loads in hand by any stretch (not many in this race have), but what makes you so sure he’s handicapped out of it Opatcho? He won a competitive Cheltenham handicap only 12 months ago off 149 so 152 with Bowen’s claim is surely within reach? There’s even potential improvement at 3 miles.

You can pick holes in him definitely, but in terms of handicap mark I think the proof is there that it’s achievable.

Just by the number of seconds this season in handicaps, and connections having to throw a claimer onboard to help bring that down.
He's 152, I think he has what... 2-3 lbs of improvement. Not sure whether that's enough. I think he'll place

[ComplyOrDie]

If the exchanges are anything to go by it looks as though Gold Present isn't going to run in this now.

Just waiting on the announcement.

[Faugheen_Machine]

If the exchanges are anything to go by it looks as though Gold Present isn't going to run in this now.

Just waiting on the announcement.

Still 10/1 on the exchange although doesn't look rather weak.

[ComplyOrDie]

Still 10/1 on the exchange although doesn't look rather weak.

Absolutely nothing to lay though, no one wants him or everything has been laid knowing he isn't going to run? OTBS went like that before he was pulled out, so just made the observation connection really.

[Faugheen_Machine]

True. I didn't see the preview after racing today but perhaps NJH said he wasn't running at that.

Or, top weight on bad ground might be enough for someone to take him on on the exchanges

[ComplyOrDie]

True. I didn't see the preview after racing today but perhaps NJH said he wasn't running at that.

Or, top weight on bad ground might be enough for someone to take him on on the exchanges

Yeah possibly so, the other 2 (at the head of the betting with GP) have come in on the exchanges, where as Gold Present looks friendless, maybe nothing in it, we will see.

[cpfcpatriot]

Main bet is on Traffic Fluide but fear he'll be heading to the Close Brothers, if so, I'll be lumping on more dosh!

This race tends to be kind to horses coming back again, and I like horses who have ran in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase. So I'm taking the 10/1's on offer for Singlefarmpayment who was running a decent race in the Ladbrokes before falling, think he could have placed. Remember a lot of talk of this horse and quite a few backing him early for that race

Would have liked a little bit more in terms of price, but given I'm struggling to find anything else...

Spoke to someone yesterday (the same person who said Sussex Ranger is the best in the yard before his hurdles debut).

They said he runs Thursday in the Brown Plate and has a big chance off his mark. Plans could change but I believe the ground has put paid to the 3 mile chances.