I'm on course at one of my local tracks tomorrow and I actually enjoy this meeting more than the Grand National Festival. It's not as well attended and you get more value for money in terms of access for Tattersalls admission.
The Old Roan Chase is the big race on the card and I think conditions will suit Walkon who looks fairly handicapped off 151 and is a reasonable price at 9/2 in not a great renewal. The Alan King gelding had a fine season without actually winning in 2012/13, finding only the top class Al Ferof in the Paddy Power and a ridiculously feather weighted Unioniste in a competitive December handicap (both at Cheltenham) too good for him in two of his best runs. He also ran well at this track over the National fences in the Topham and two and a half miles on ground with some cut in it are pretty much his optimum conditions. I get the feeling unless the ground is really holding he gets outpaced in big field events before staying on so this sort of field size (eleven participants) is ideal. A few of his opponents looks out of their depth tomorrow, four of them are out of the handicap, and his main dangers will probably be Edgardo Sol and Wishfull Thinking. The latter was second in this contest last year and is off a lower mark now but For Non Stop demolished him in the race and the animals in behind were a pretty nondescript bunch. Edgardo Sol is unproven at this sort of trip and doesn't look that well handicapped for all that he likes the track. I can't really envisage him being that strong towards the end of this race whereas the selection should be staying on well. Another plus point is that Walkon's Paddy Power effort was his first race of last season.
Old Roan Chase:
Walkon £25w @ 9/2 and £25w on course at best available odds. (fell)
(-180)
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