29th-Jan-2022

I think that there is a good handicap chase in Torn And Frayed, and today could be his day.

He hasn’t won yet over fences, and he is conceding experience to most of his rivals, but he has the potential to be a fair bit better than the handicap rating of 131 off which he races today.  A progressive hurdler in the spring of last season, he shaped encouragingly in his first three runs over fences this term.

He was held up on his chasing bow, at Cheltenham’s October meeting, and he kept on well to take third place behind Annual Invictus and Danny Kirwan.  Allowed stride on next time at Ascot in a three-horse race, he jumped continually to his left, and was ultimately just worn down by Faivoir.  Then on his third run, he was only beaten by seven lengths by the high-class My Drogo, a 155-rated performer whom he met on level terms.  He would have been getting 22lb off him in a handicap.

You have to forgive him his last run, but that was on heavy ground at Haydock, and that is a specialist’s discipline for which he obviously wasn’t equipped.  He should be much happier back on better ground today.

He goes well going left-handed, and he goes well at Cheltenham, his three runs there have been among the best runs of his career.  Two and a half miles on goodish ground at Cheltenham is close to optimal for him.

He probably won’t get to lead today, with Coole Cody in opposition, but I still hope that he is ridden forward, ideally just behind Coole Cody.  Sam Twiston-Davies is a very good rider, and you can be sure that he will give him every chance.

Galahad Quest and Magic Saint were the next two on my shortlist, but I had Torn And Frayed a little way ahead of them at yesterday’s prices.

TORN AND FRAYED WON (ADV 15/2, SP 5/1)