Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster under consideration for Crawford pair

3 minute read

Present View owned by Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick, is among 45 entries for the Sky Bet Chase over three miles at Doncaster on the second day of the Sky Bet Chase meeting on January 24.

Jamie Snowden's stable star was last seen out when beaten two lengths into third by Caid Du Berlais in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 15. The seven-year-old provided Lambourn-based Snowden with his first Cheltenham Festival triumph when denying Attaglance (Malcolm Jefferson, 20/1) by half a length in the Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase last year.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who has captured two Sky Bet Chases courtesy of Big Fella Thanks (2009) and Colourful Life (2005), has four horses engaged. They are headed by Easter Day, who is the 12/1 joint-favourite with Sky Bet after an encouraging reappearance at Newbury and recent Cheltenham scorer Mon Parrain (16/1). The quartet is completed by Just A Par (16/1), a Grade Two scorer as a novice, and Cowards Close (16/1).

The other joint-favourite is the Philip Hobbs-trained If In Doubt, who got off the mark over fences at the third time of asking at Catterick on December 16. Hobbs has also entered Royal Player (14/1) on the back of decisive victories at Musselburgh and Ludlow.

There are three Irish-trained entries, headed by two from the Co Antrim yard of Stuart Crawford. Glenquest (20/1) belied his starting price of 33/1 when third in the Welsh National over an extended three miles and five furlongs at Chepstow on December 27.

The 12-year-old has been a model of consistency in the four outings this season and recorded a fourth career victory when taking a two mile handicap hurdle at Navan on November 23.

Crawford said: "We don't have any firm plans for Glenquest. We will probably look at one of the better staying chasers in the spring and that could be something like a Scottish or Irish National. He probably won't be rated high enough to get in at Aintree.

"We will definitely take a look at the Sky Bet Chase on the way because that is a really good prize in its own right and that is why we have put him in there.

"Glenquest has come out of Chepstow very well. He deserves a big one as he has been second in a Troytown, fourth in a Paddy Power at Leopardstown and obviously the good run in the Welsh National.

"He has been knocking on the door and, although he is getting on, with a bit of luck we would be hopeful that he could pick up a nice one this season."

Crawford has also entered Yes Tom (33/1), who made a winning debut for the stable when taking the Daily Mirror Chase by seven lengths at Down Royal in March. The 10-year-old subsequently finished ninth in the Scottish Grand National, having led with four fences to jump, and was 10th on his seasonal return at Navan on December 14.

Crawford added: "We will also look at the Sky Bet with Yes Tom but whereas Glenquest will cope with most ground, he wants nice ground.

"The ground was quite tacky when Yes Tom ran in the Scottish National and I would say it was that rather than the trip that did not suit him.

"We were happy enough with his reappearance in Navan and he just got tired in the testing ground.

"We will look at the better handicaps in the spring once the ground has dried out but something like the Sky Bet could work in nicely along the way."

The other Irish contender is the Patrick Griffin-trained Maggio (33/1), who finished third to Home Farm in a Listed contest at Thurles on November 20.

Alan King's three entries are topped by Medermit (16/1), who ran creditably when sixth in the Grade One Betfair Chase in November. King may also run Walkon (33/1) and Godsmejudge (20/1), who landed the 2013 Scottish Grand National.

There could be some Grand National clues on show with Teaforthree (Rebecca Curtis, 20/1) and Alvarado (Fergal O'Brien, 25/1), both prominent in the betting for the Aintree showpiece, also engaged.

Nicky Henderson has three in contention, including bet365 Gold Cup victor Hadrian's Approach (16/1) and lightly-raced eight-year-old Open Hearted (20/1), who is owned by The Queen.

Michael Shinners, racing PR manager for Sky Bet, commented: "We are thrilled with the entries, as not only do we have quantity but plenty of quality as well.

"We are usually treated to an exciting finish and we are hoping for another great race in this year's renewal."

Weights for the Sky Bet Chase are released on Wednesday, January 14.

Sky Bet Chase - Sky Bet odds: 12/1 Easter Day, If In Doubt; 14/1 Royal Player; 16/1 Cowards Close, Godsmejudge, Hadrian's Approach, Just A Par, Medermit, Mon Parrain, Present View; 20/1 Attaglance, Benbens, Corrin Wood, Glenquest, Lamool, Le Reve, Lost Legend, Night In Milan, No Planning, Open Hearted, Renard, Teaforthree, Tenor Nivernais; 25/1 Alvarado, Baileys Concerto, Buck Mulligan, Diocles, Fairy Rath, Golden Hoof, Grandads Horse, Hey Big Spender, Indian Castle, Shangani, Via Sundown, Like Minded; 28/1 Mountainous; 33/1 Caulfields Venture, Knock A Hand, Maggio, Mr Moonshine, Vino Griego, Walkon, Yes Tom; 40/1 Across The Bay; Wayward Prince

The Sky Bet Chase

Class 1, Listed Race, £75,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.15pm, Doncaster, Saturday, January 24, 2015. For five-year-olds and upwards rated 0-155, three miles. Entries closed January 6, entries revealed January 7 (45 entries), weights revealed January 14. Five-day confirmation stage January 19, final declaration stage 10.00am, January 22.

45 entries

3 Irish-trained

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