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Energumene on track for December return is the headline on RP site.
Anyone got the full write up ?
The ten-year-old was last seen scoring in Grade 1 company at Punchestown in April 2023 before his injury surfaced 12 months ago when undergoing preparations for last season.
He is now nearing a return to the track and could reappear in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork, a contest in which he made a winning return to action in 2021 and 2022, but connections are taking things slowly with their star chaser.
Sean Graham, racing manager to owner Tony Bloom, said: "Energumene was obviously off last year and had a long rest. He has been brought along very slowly and everything is good with him so far.
"We don't have firm plans with him, as we are taking it day by day. If everything goes according to plan, we could look at the Hilly Way.
"You've got the option of travelling to England for the Shloer Chase or waiting for Leopardstown at Christmas, but the Hilly Way has been a good starting point for him. I wouldn't tie down any option, but all is well at the moment."
With the news about El Fabiolo it got me looking closer at the Champ Chase market to see where there is any value, if any…..
Looking at the trends then there has been a few turn ups over the last 10 years and many big priced horses placed, maybe an indication of the dearth of top class 2m chasers?
Mullins Bingo I know but my eye has been drawn to Dinoblue at 33/1
Case for;
- where is she going to run at Cheltenham, if at all? I’d suggest she is too highly rated for a handicap?
- maybe she doesn’t truly stay 2 1/2 miles?
- does she want to run against some potential quality mid distance stayers in Jade De Grugy and Brighterdaysahead in the Mares chase this season?
- she improved around a stone in her second season as a chaser last year (diff between OR and RPR)
- in Feb last year she beat the 2023 Champion Chase winner Captain Guinness over 2m getting only her 7lb allowance, albeit both being trounced by El Fabiolo
- in Apr last year she got beat by Captain Guinness by just over a length, once again getting her 7lb allowance, both though being beaten a whisker by Banbridge.
- for the Mares chase JP has Impervious if fit to return to racing and still only 8 years old
- Dinoblue is only 7 so could show further improvement? (with her 7lbs allowance she would only need to improve another 7lbs to trouble the top rated 2m chasers)
- Found a Fifty maybe doesn’t come here, supported by his recent entry in a 3m chase on 2nd Nov?
- Il Etait Temps maybe doesn’t show his true form at the track or/and steps up in distance to the Ryanair?
- Energumene will have to defy many age trends currently being 10 years old, with many in the Forum believing he may step up in trip to the Ryanair
- El Fabiolo does throw in the odd howler even if he does get to the race fully fit. Also many on the Forum think he may step up in trip to the Ryanair.
- the Arkle form has been questioned on the Forum as being below normal standard
Case against;
- El Fabiolo may only have a minor setback and his rating and age make him fav in my book. He is a year younger than Jonbon.
- Jonbon is currently fav and presumed to be focusing on 2m this year. On ratings would have beaten Captain Guinness in last years Champ Chase. If he gets to the race then he surely will be fav or 2nd fav?
- Gaelic Warrior is the new 2m kid on the block and could easily show the required improvement in his second season as a chaser
- Energumene doesn’t appear to have been over raced as a 10 year old and if retaining his form would have a great chance
- Impervious may run in the Ryanair (if fit) leaving Dinoblue to represent JP in the Mares chase
- being a year older she may see out the 2 1/2 miles Mares Chase distance better and improve as she is only 7
- she has the form in the book for the Mares chase with Jade De Grugy and Brighterdaysahead all about ‘potential’
Whilst I don’t think Dinoblue can beat a race fit El Fabiolo, Jonbon or Energumene, then based upon some poor fields in previous Champ Chases, history would indicate that these three plus Gaelic Warrior may not all turn up in March. Even if one or two did I could easily see her placed and therefore 33/1 is way too big in my opinion.
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