Big Fella Thanks

Big Fella Thanks would almost certainly have won the three-mile handicap chase at Kempton on Saturday but for getting rid of Christian Williams at the third last. He got buffeted around in amongst horses over the first three fences, and was a little unsure of himself as a result, jumping deliberately in the early stages. He warmed to his task, however, and he had so much in hand, he is so well handicapped that he made fairly effortless progress through the field from six out, turning into the home straight in third and beginning to mount what looked like a winning challenge when he came down at the first in the straight. He is rated 136 over fences, the same as he is over hurdles, which could be decidedly lenient given how his physique is made for fences. He should be a much better chaser than he is a hurdler. There is a big stayers’ hcap in him. Maybe the Racing Post Chase back over this course and distance with Ruby Walsh on board? A mark of 136 would see him set to carry something in the mid- to late 10sts in a normal year, and that should be ideal.

27th December, 2008