The Charlie Hall Chase

One of the early season features is the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby over 3 miles. The race was won last year by Nacarat who returns to try and retain his crown. However, a strong field has assembled to try to knock him off his perch. This race will be very informative as many of the challengers to Long Run's crown feature. Hopefully a viable challenger will emerge to shake up the staying division.

Nacarat - Winner of this race 12 months ago but faces a much stiffer ask this year. He is a consistent horse at around the 160ish mark or just below, but i think it will take a career best for him to retain his crown. He also has a penalty to hold him back. Sure to give a good account but opposed on this occasion.

Diamond Harry - Unbeaten in 5 seasonal reappearances and has only met with defeat on three occasions. Once behind the brilliant novice hurdler Mikael D'Haguenet in the Neptune at the Festival, once behind the arguably the best staying hurdler of all time Big Buck's and once when pulled up in the RSA at Cheltenham. He was restricted to one appearance last year when taking the prestigious Hennessy Gold Cup. He has been difficult to train but the best time to catch him is first time out. If he is to take a big prize this season then this is a terrific opportunity for him. If you back him in this and he loses, then i'd be confident in saying that you could make it all back by laying him in races further down the line. The one to beat.

Poquelin - The highest rated horse in the race and something of a Cheltenham specialist. He has excelled in 2m5f chases at the top level but has just been found wanting when favourite for the Ryanair Chase the last two seasons. He is now stepped up in trip which is something that could bring about improvement. He has been talked of as a potential Gold Cup contender and if he proves his stamina here then he will certainly enter calculations. Gets his favoured good ground here. A big chance if he gets home.

Weird Al - First start for Donald McCain since switching from Ian Williams. He was well fancied for the RSA in 2010 but was forced to miss the race through injury. Was then a leading fancy for the Hennessy but could finish only 8th before being pulled up in the Gold Cup after breaking a blood vessel. On something of a retrieval mission and needs to recapture that early sparkle. Best watched.

Chicago Grey - High class who took the 4 mile National Hunt Chase at the Festival this year. He looked the winner in a good handicap back at that track a couple of weeks ago but came to grief at the second last. Certainly not a plodder but a few fancied to have a touch too much quality for him in this competitive heat.

Time For Rupert - A warm order for the RSA Chase last year after two impressive novice victories. Disappointed when only 5th but that was a commendable effort considering he bled. He had previously shown his quality when chasing home Big Buck's in the 2010 World Hurdle. A tralented horse but question mark to answer on his return. Big player if returning to form.

Acrai Rua - Rated 110 and will need to improve by at least 50lbs to figure here. Well outclassed.

Conclusion

The three market principles are Diamond Harry (5/2), Time For Rupert (3/1) and Poquelin (9/2). I fancy the market has it about right and i fancy those to fight out the finish. Diamond Harry has never been a horse that i have particularly liked but this looks a perfect opportunity to open his account for the season. He has a touch of class about him and connections seem confident that he is fit and well. Poquelin has run well fresh and gets his ground and is fancied to make a race of it if his stamina holds. Paul Nicholls' comments in his Betfair column will make interesting reading tomorrow. Time For Rupert looked a chaser of huge potential early last season and it will be disappointing if he isn't on the premises.