29th-Dec-2015

This is an open-looking novices’ handicap chase, but Imagine the Chat has a lot in his favour, and he is over-priced in my book.  I would have had him in as clear favourite.

Rebecca Curtis’ horse was a nicely progressive novice hurdler last spring.  A bumper winner, he ran a nice race to finish fifth in a good novices’ hurdle behind Southfield Vic and Brother Tedd at Wincanton at the end of March, then stepped up on that to win a maiden hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs at Bangor in April.

He was well backed on his chasing debut at Chepstow early last month and, in that context, it was disappointing that he could only finish eighth behind Javert.  But that was over two miles, a trip that was surely too sharp for him.  Also, Rebecca Curtis’ horses were not going well at the time.  They are going much better now.

The step back up to two miles and six furlongs is a positive, and he goes well on soft ground.  Although he won his maiden hurdle on good ground, he didn’t appear to need it or even appreciate it that much, and his bumper win was on heavy ground at Ffos Las, where it gets very heavy indeed.

A mark of 115 is fair for his handicap debut, it is easy to see him going a fair bit higher than that.  He is only six and he has raced just six times in his life.

Sandy Beach and Vice Et Vertu were also on my shortlist, but I am happy that the value is with Imagine The Chat.

IMAGINE THE CHAT WON (SP 8/1)