Chance Du Roy

Chance Du Roy ran a lot better than his finishing position suggests in an extended two-mile handicap hurdle at Exeter on Sunday. He travelled well in midfield in the early stages, and had just joined in with the leading group when Ashfield's Dream made a mistake at the flight before the home straight and badly hampered the Philip Hobbs horse, forcing him wide as well as halting his momentum, with the result that he had to get going again and was widest of all into the straight. Knocked back to fifth place by the time they straightened up, he stuck to his task well under just a hands and heels ride from Tom O'Brien, to finish fourth, about six lengths behind the winner Cabinet Minister and beaten just a head for third place.

This was Chance Du Roy's second run of the season, and it was much more encouraging than his debut. A progressive novice two seasons ago, he only raced twice last season, he has obviously had his problems, but he shaped well on his final start last season under 11st 12lb in a decent handicap hurdle at Haydock when he travelled well for a long way but just couldn't go on on the run-in before finishing a two-length third behind Young Albert. He remains on the mark of 120 off which he raced there, but he is still just six, he is still lightly-raced, and he has the potential to be a fair bit better than his handicap mark. He goes well on soft ground and on good ground, he seems to stay two and a half miles okay, and he will be of interest wherever he runs next.

14th February 2010

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