Can classy Shan Blue defy topweight to record his first win in nearly four years?

There are some class acts lining up in this handicap chase and among them is the Grade 1-winning Shan Blue, who recorded his sole success at the top level in the Kauto Star at Kempton in 2020. He was rated 152 at his peak and tops the weights from just 142 here.

He is now ten years old and not up to producing the same level as he did a few years ago, but the Dan Skelton-trained gelding showed he is still capable of being competitive in handicaps when twice third at Ascot on his final two starts last season in races that were better than this.

Shan Blue has won first time up before and would have landed the Charlie Hall Chase on his seasonal reappearance in 2021 but for falling at the third last. He can evidently go well fresh and the Skelton team will likely have him fully wound up for this return from 270 days off.

Celebre D’Allen is the other class angle in the field. Rated just 2lb lower than Shan Blue and racing off a mark only 3lb higher than when third in the Topham at Aintree in April, he also has an outstanding record fresh, with form figures of 14315 after breaks of at least 50 days in Britain.

However, he has never won off a mark this high in handicaps and won’t want drying ground.

Autonomous Cloud is likely to head the market under Jonathan Burke, who appears to have chosen him over Ask Me Early, who is also a regular ride. Maybe that will prove significant.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Going report

The ground is soft, good to soft in places on the chase course. Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: "We're pleased with the declarations. We're not expecting any rain as it is everywhere else, so it could dry up a little."

What they say

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Pull Again Green and Autonomous Cloud
We were a little disappointed with Autonomous Cloud at Worcester, as we thought he had the experience, but he was probably beaten by two good ones. We're hoping the soft ground will stay, which will suit him great. Pull Again Green ran well last time at Chepstow. I wouldn't normally like running two in the same race, but we're forced to with the ground.

Gary Hanmer, trainer of Monte Igueldo
I'd say he's got a nice chance. He'll appreciate the ground, the trip won't be a problem and he's ready to run. He was a bit unlucky in running when second last time, as we were on the stands rail and the second-last was omitted. That cost us a couple of lengths and he only lost by half a length.

Alan King, trainer of Major Dundee
He didn't really get going last season, although he was running well when he came down at the second last in the Eider Chase at Newcastle on his final start. I couldn't get him right after that, but he's had a good break and is back working as well as he ever does. He's sure to come on for the outing.
Reporting by James Stevens

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