SMASH IT ON Well Chief's horse race preview

One of the best chase races of the year and Newbury racetrack is a true galloping track, which just helps this race to be even more of a spectacular affair. Today's race is no exceptions to the rule, as the very talented Denman looks to keep his unbeaten run in tact over fences and land this on route to the Gold Cup showdown, with stable mate Kauto Star. He's trying to emulate the last Royal Sun Alliance winner to take his chance in this race off top weight and come out on top, Trabolgan. Another that takes the eye in this race, is one of the most facile winners of this race in recent years, in the return of Strong Flow. Strong Flow is a former stable mate of Denman. He returns after having a prep in Ireland for his new Irish based trainer. Lets hope that this talented horse can get round safe and sound.

Previewing the best handicapped horse in the field on my figures and they are the following -

Snowy Morning - Willie Mullins has employed the handling of champion jockey Tony McCoy, who has a fine chance on this horse. He stayed on to finish 2nd to Denman in this years Royal Sun Alliance chase on ground that would have been more lively then ideal for him. He will not be tried again on good racing ground, after finding the conditions at Punchestown far too lively underfoot. Clearly a horse with good stamina and a liking for cut in the ground, he can make the most of having such a big weight pull with Denman, for a yard that do well when they come over for big race chases. Fitness must be a concern for such a big target, but the trainer is a master at getting them fit to go first time and the horse has won twice fresh with the right conditions underfoot.

Sir Rembrandt - Recorded a superb victory on his first run for a yard in sensational form so far this season and looked back to his best that day at Cheltenham, where his jumping can take a bit of pasting by the fences and that performance was very taking. Older then most winners of this race, he hasn't got time on his side, but the 6lbs penalty means he still looks well in on a mark that can see him stay on well under 10 stone 5lbs, a weight that is well in his compass having to carry top weight so many times in the past. Suited to left handed tracks and the trip we know he stays on ground that is testing and he should give a good account of himself today, with the claimer who rode him so well last time taking 3 valuable pounds of his back today.

D'Argent - Falling back down the handicap after a series of mistakes having cost him but still has talent to go well of this mark today under a low weight today in the conditions of the race. Placed at this level he is one of the more exposed runners in the field but given his narrow win over New Alco at Cheltenham last season he finds himself well handicapped with that rival today and is much bigger in the betting. A sharper test may suit him better round the likes of Warwick and this strong galloping track may just be his undoing. Stable jockey is also elsewhere and he should be noted for a upcoming handicap in the next few months when he is at his best.

Denman - One of the best handicapped horses in this field and a class apart when at his best and may easily jump to victory today if the weight on this ground doesn't take its toll and given his most eye catching performance was at this track last season in a small field where he jumped them all ragged he may just be too good on a track that is ideal for his long striding galloping and even though the trainer has stressed some concerns over his runner under this weight he has managed to get the horse fit for his first run both times and lightly raced as can be he has to be in with a chance with obvious class and should make the frame in this handicap that is about as good as a grade 3 handicap can get. If the ground gets any more cut up it could be a lot harder to give the weight away.

Dream Alliance - Looked a top horse over hurdles and didn't run to badly when 6th behind Black Jack Ketchum back in 2006 and apart from taking his time to get to grips with fences looks to be heading the same way over fences now having run out a superb winner at Perth back in April over fences, where he had the useful yard stick Iron Man well beaten back in 3rd and on that running he looks like he is still in with a chance with the handicapper for his seasonal reappearance that has been on the cards since he won that day at Perth. Trying a new trip maybe the making of him and has a nice weight to carry in the conditions that he has ran so well in the past on and even though only winning right handed over fences so far the track may be the biggest concern for Philip Hobbs who has the services of Jamie Moore a decent jockey around this track.

Abragante - Looked a world beater last time over fences when cruising round and taking it up at the last to win with a bit in hand and goes well fresh as many of David Pipes seem to do over fences before they lose there way. The hope is with this horse by Saddlers Wells is that he keeps sound after enjoying a profitable year over hurdles last season with the Swinton hurdle win. Handles soft ground and should stay this trip well the pilot brought in for this run is bang in form and if reproducing the same manner of run as last time he is another that could be well ahead of the handicapper having just picked up a penalty for this target.

My Tissue Price - Snowy Morning 7/2, Sir Rembrandt 6/1, Denman 8/1, D'Argent, Dream Alliance 10/1, Abragante 11/1, Dom D'Orgeval, Always Waning 14/1, Madison Du Bereles, Knowhere, New Alco 16/1, Juveinger 20/1, Bowleaze, Patsy Hall 25/1, Character Building, Bible Lord 33/1, Strong Flow 40/1. Point Barrow 66/1

Selection – Snowy Morning 3 pts @ 11-2 (6.6 BF)

Well Chief