Chatham Street Lad

Chatham Street Lad ran well for a long way in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday, on ground that probably wasn’t as soft as he likes it. He was obviously no match for A Plus Tard, but A Plus Tard is one of the best staying chasers in training, he was brilliant on the day, and Chatham Street Lad did well to travel as well as he did for as long as he did. Settled sixth of the seven runners early on by Sean Quinlan, he was a little keen, and he made a significant mistake at the final fence on the first circuit, and at the second fence in the back straight final time, and he wasn’t helped when Imperial Aura fell at the third fence in the back straight. But he travelled well to the end of the back straight, and he moved nicely into fourth place as they left the back straight. He moved into third on the run to the third last fence, but he came under a ride at that point, and he just kept on from there to finish third, well behind A Plus Tard and Royale Pagaille, but 10 lengths clear of the 157-rated Clondaw Castle.

Mick Winters’ horse probably doesn’t get due credit. He was a seriously impressive winner of the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham last December, when he beat this year’s Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Midnight Shadow by 15 lengths, and he won the Grade 3 Hugh McMahon Novice Chase at Limerick last March. That was over three miles, but he is probably even more effective over two and a half, or an extended two and a half. He is at his best on soft or heavy ground, so he will be of interest when he races again under those conditions. He came back from Haydock with an injury, but hopefully he will be back in action before too long, and he will be of interest when he returns, ideally on soft or heavy ground.
Haydock, 20^th November 2021