Bradley chasing Classic glory
Fergal O’Brien’s charge began the season in great form, finishing a fair fourth at Cheltenham in October before running subsequent Welsh National winner Monbeg Dude to a neck back at that track the following month.
He let down favourite-backers when well beaten at Prestbury Park in December, but O’Brien believes that lacklustre effort was merely a blip in form.
He said: “His form with Monbeg Dude does look good now, and he has been solid all season apart from his last run, which we just want to put behind us.
“I don’t think he was himself that day what with one or two niggles, but if he puts his best foot forward he can run a big race.
“He goes on any sort of ground and ran well at the course last year when he was second in a hunter chase to a good horse in Monkerty Tunkerty.
“Paddy (Brennan) came and schooled him on Tuesday and we’ve all been very happy with him.”
Robin Dickin fields second top-weight Reckless Harry, who arrives on the back of a confidence-boosting success at Newbury before Christmas.
A classy performer over hurdles, he failed to hit the heights as a novice chaser last term but Dickin expects his 11-length thrashing of Tullamore Dew last time to have a positive effect.
“He’s in cracking order at present – the win last time did him the world of good – and I couldn’t be happier with him,” said the Warwickshire handler.
“We know he’ll have no problem with the distance and unless some lunatic wants to take him on up front, he should get into a nice rhythm.
“It’s a left-handed track so there’s plenty in his favour.”
Pete The Feat will be seeking his sixth win on the bounce as he steps up to Grade Three company for Charlie Longsdon.
The nine-year-old has been a revelation this season, rising from a mark of 94 in October to his current perch of 134 via victories at Uttoxeter, Plumpton, Folkestone, Lingfield and Newbury.
His latest win came in the Mandarin Chase at the Berkshire venue two weeks ago and Longsdon rates the relatively short break between races as his biggest concern for Pete The Feat.
“He’s on a right roll at the moment,” said the Chipping Norton handler.
“He’s been a great, fun horse this year.
“He’s gone up 40lb in the ratings and people have been comparing him to Hunt Ball (who improved over 70lb last term) but he’s got a long way to go to merit those kind of comparisons.
“He’s definitely on an upward curve and seems in good form. It is only two weeks after his last run, but he seems well so we will take our chance.
“It’s a massive step up in trip and class for him but the jockey has always said he wanted this kind of distance, so the trip is not so much of a worry.
“He’s had a great season already and achieved more than we thought possible so to be going there with a favourite’s chance is just a bonus.
“He has gone up in the weights but that is the price you pay for winning five races.
“We think he seems well and hopefully he should be in the mix.”
Alan King has won two of the last seven renewals and this year relies on novice Godsmejudge.
The seven-year-old has won one of his three chase outings to date but King believes it is worth taking a chance with his unexposed youngster.
He told www.alankingracing.co.uk: “We won the race with both D’Argent (2008), who also finished second, and West End Rocker (2011).
“While Godsmejudge goes there a novice and is 5lb higher than when winning at Folkestone, he did win a three-and-a-quarter-mile hurdle with Wayne (Hutchinson) at Huntingdon the Christmas before last, so it is worth a shot in what looks a very competitive race.”
Quentin Collonges represents Henry Daly and will be having just his second start of the year.
He finished down the field at Doncaster last month and while Daly expects the trip and track to help his charge, the going is seen as a concern.
Daly said: “Three-miles-five around Warwick should suit but the ground is not ideal.
“It’s going to be soft there and I would rather the ground was a bit better.”
