O’BRIEN READY FOR A DEE-DAY
No mud so Fergal’s Master to shine
The decision to save MASTER DEE (Kempton, 3.35) from bottomless winter conditions can reap rich dividends this afternoon in the Betdaq handicap Chase.
After what feels like months of racing on deep ground, those at Kempton have the opportunity to enjoy a better surface today and Fergal O’Brien will be one trainer delighted by the colder weather and drying conditions.
Master Dee has run well on easy ground in his 20- race career, but his best efforts have been recorded when conditions have ridden quicker and he looks to have a sound chance of a win following a three-month absence.
hopefully, some of his rivals will be feeling the effects of a brutal winter, meaning the selection may prove fresher than most as he bids to win for the first time since Ascot in October 2016.
he cosily beat San Benedeto on that occasion and his rival is now rated 155, so it seems Master Dee is still reasonably treated off his mark of 145.
Admittedly, he has been a shade difficult to win with, but there is no denying the level of consistency which has seen Master Dee win or finish in the first three in all his 20 starts under rules. That record will be put to the test today in a highly competitive affair featuring, among others with chances, the improving Acting Lass and Tintern Theatre.
The latter will be much better suited by a return to this venue after unseating his rider on horrid haydock ground last time, while Acting Lass is unbeaten in three starts over fences on right-handed tracks like Kempton this season. Both are respected along with Art Mauresque, runner-up last time to Waiting Patiently at today’s venue, and Theatre Territory, who has done little wrong in defeat in four outings over fences and may find some improvement in wearing firsttime cheekpieces. There is another intriguing staying chase in the North east where HAINAN (Newcastle, 2.45) may prove the answer to the Betfred eider Chase. Trainer Sue Smith looks to have a brace of credible candidates for the marathon test and I can see Smooth Stepper, beaten 20 lengths in this race 12 months ago, giving a good account from the front alongside his stablemate.
Narrow preference is for hainan, though, as this extreme examination should be perfect for a horse which has already galloped through the mud at haydock to win over three-anda-half miles this winter.
That is not a task for the faint- hearted and he looks capable of going close again with the conditions in his favour this afternoon.