21st-Nov-2021

I am backing Run Wild Fred for tomorrow’s Troytown Chase.

It is bizarre that the Gigginstown House horse hasn’t won over fences yet, but he has put up some mighty performances in defeat, including in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park last January, and in the Irish Grand National in April when we had him on side.

He is up to a mark of 145 now, but that is just 5lb higher than his Irish National mark.  He is only seven and he has the potential to go beyond that mark now as a staying chaser this season.  He handled yielding ground well in the Irish National, and the drop back from that extreme trip to three miles tomorrow should suit him.  His jumping is getting better as he is gaining in experience, and he shaped well for a long way on his seasonal debut over two and a half miles behind Cape Gentleman at Cork. 

Trainer Gordon Elliott has won four of the last seven renewals of the Troytown, and it is probable that he has had the race in mind for Run Wild Fred for a while.

His stable companion Farclas was also on my radar, but I am hoping that he will morph into an Aintree Grand National horse this year.  I am hoping that he can run well without winning.  Top Moon was also on my shortlist, but Run Wild Fred is the bet.

RUN WILD FRED WON (ADV 11/2, SP 4/1)