**** BETFAIR CHASE **** haydock

i think nacarat is a very good horse but if he's taken on when he needs a breather 3/4 mile out or so then he'll struggle.

planet of sound stays well, not too quick though but if he can stay in touch could be a big player - i dont think they can shake him off too easily. that race in ireland wasn't great though.

what a friend is a tricky ride and this long straight might not be ideal, just gets 3miles imo.

imperial commander , imv, needs things his own way and if its too quick too soon then he struggles. if the pace at the beginning doesnt trouble him then its all over; but i wont be rushing to take evens which is probably the right price.

planet of sound looks a possible against it.

Think Nacarat looked a lot better this year, didn't seem to need to lead last time and reportedly has had work done on his shoulder.

IMO with IC its going to be down to the ground as well, he is the kind of horse you would oppose at a short price but back when longer, if there is cut he's going to be hard to beat, if it is genuine good ground then id take him on as imo, he can be vulnerable if you get him out of a Rhythm

Yeah my take exactly, if it's good to soft or better ground I'd take IC on at odds on. I have him backed for the King George @ 16/1 as he was over priced.

ground is vital i think. ill be backing him after about a mile if hes travelling as well as he should be. when hes going to run a bad race it seems to be easy enough to tell almost from the off

Agree with zilzal. Always going to be taking on Imperial Commander at odds on and away from Cheltenham. Siding with Nacarat at this stage.

Anyone have an idea what the going could be like, what's it now and what's forecast over there?

Be very careful here lads.  Gd/sft. soft places with 15mm forecast.  There is a piece in the daily mail that says Thomas has chosen What a Friend over Nacarat and George may decide to swerve given likely soft ground and svere test.  Better ground at Ascot will see Albertas and Planet go down there.  Siver by Nature also looks likely to wait for the Hennessey.  Looks a match and at the prices 7/2 for What a Friend has to be the bet.

Thanks for the info Reefer.

Aye, cheers for that. Looking like a no bet race for me as I wont get to see it anyway, will be enroute from London to Dublin at the time.

that rain is now and then thats it with no more f/c and there will be plenty of wind and time to keep the ground on the decent side imo.

Personally think IC will win this easily, imo ground at Haydock always seems to be testing this time of the year. Also dont think he will have to tough a race which will ensure he can be competitive at Kempton. As it is well documented he needs 10 - 12 weeks to get back to his peak when a race has left its mark. Not sure if IC will beat Kauto at Kempton but fully expect if kept sound to retain the Gold Cup.

Has anyone seen a price for IC to get the Hatrick this year?

tidal bay is 90 at the moment, i know this quirky animal struggles with fences, but will be first try over fences for a while and if the ground comes up very testing which i believe is what he wants as he seems to get outpaced somestimes but has a huge engine i think 90 could be very big plus i suppose iv always had a soft spot for him :)

On testing ground 90 is big, thats the price you should always back that animal at.....

Has anyone seen a price for IC to get the Hatrick this year?

25/1 with PP

Thought IP was huge at 5/6 during the week, had a chunk of that. Goes well fresh aswell which he'll be doing on Saturday!

*IC

I'll always love Katchit and Tidal Bay because of the 2008 festival.

What A Friend for me

Good bit of rain today. Rain from 9am until 2pm.  Must have had 7-10mm.  Soft, heavy in places on the day as more is forecast tomorrow.

Only 4mm and the going remains as gd/sft, soft in places. 4.5 on the going stick which sounds testing to me.

They are mad if they are thinking of running Tidal Bay over fences again,just dont like chasing,anyone can see that.

Tidal Bay never runs two races the same so I don't know how you can say that. Even the owner still doesn't know the key to him, he said as much on ATR this week.

Backing him for an interest in the race, got limited to £6 @ 33/1 with SJames, only wanted a tenner ffs.

Soft ground maybe the key to him, although hes a horse you would back at a big price...

i can say that cos i have seen all his races over fences.