Richard Johnson, on the brink of a first-ever NH jockeys’ title, has ridden the winner of the BetBright Chase on five occasions so his mount this Saturday Roc D’Apsis, known at home as ‘Rocky’, is definitely worth a second look in the £100,000 handicap at the widely available 20/1.
The seven-year-old won at Kempton last month, convincing trainer Tom George that he was worth his place this weekend. George has already won the race twice with Nacarat, though it was known as the Racing Post Chase in those days, and is hoping his charge can complete the hat-trick. But this year’s renewal looks as competitive as ever and recent trends are against ‘Rocky’.
BetBright Chase History and Trends
First run in 1949, the BetBright Chase didn’t really catch the public imagination until the Racing Post took up sponsorship in 1988 and increased the prize money. The racing daily backed the race up until 2011 when Racing Plus took over – they relinquished sponsorship rights in 2014.
The race is run over 3m at Kempton every year, usually three weeks before the start of the Cheltenham Festival. It has a reputation as Grand National trial but only Rhyme ‘n’ Reason, in 1988, and Rough Quest eight years later have won it and the big race at Aintree in the same year.
Since 1997, only one chaser has carried less than 10st5lb to victory which suggests this is a race for the classier type. The bottom four in this year’s handicap would all appear to be up against it, therefore.
Philip Hobbs has trained the winner of the BetBright Chase on four separate occasions and has one of the fancied runners this year in Champagne West. He’s been very lightly raced this season and, though yet to win over three miles, should stay the trip on a relatively sharp course like Kempton.
Rocky Creek bids to follow up last year’s defeat of Le Reve in the race off a 4lb higher mark but Paul Nicholls also saddles the tough and reliable Virak and Ruben Cotter. Ziga Boy bounced back to form in impressive fashion at Doncaster while Theatre Guide looks well treated on his best form and Colin Tizzard’s stable is in good form.
Opening Batsman won the BetBright Chase in 2013 and is back on the same mark but jockey bookings would suggest THOMAS BROWN is Harry Fry’s best hope of success in 2016.
Bet365 are only one of two bookmakers currently prepared to stick their heads above the parapet in offering 9/1 against the fast-improving novice. The drying ground looks a plus for the Ascot and Doncaster winner, who was rated 145 over hurdles but can race off 140 on his handicap debut over the larger obstacles.
BetBright Chase Current Best Odds
Champagne West (5/1), Ziga Boy (6/1), Le Reve (7/1), Theatre Guide (8/1), Thomas Brown (9/1), Tenor Nivernais (12/1), Fox Appeal, Ruben Cotter and Virak (16/1), Hadrian’s Approach, Rocky Creek, Opening Batsman, Roc D’Apsis and Viva Steve (20/1), Ballykan (28/1), Astracad (50/1)
