Definitly in the mix at Wetherby
DEFINITLY RED can cause a bit of an upset in what should be a blinding renewal of the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.
Pre-race chatter has correctly revolved around Cue Card and Coneygree, and it would be wonderful if both horses could run to their best in Yorkshire.
But with Cue Card not getting any younger and Coneygree a hard horse to pin down after such a troublesome few years, Definitly Red is an appealing alternative at good odds.
Capable trainer Brian Ellison is always optimistic, and sometimes overly so, but it is interesting the Malton handler has already mentioned the Gold Cup as a long-term goal for the eight-year-old.
He admittedly has to go some, and more, to even enter calculations for the big one at Cheltenham, but Definitly Red, who has had just 10 starts over fences, is definitely good enough to win a Charlie Hall.
The 159-rated chaser’s Grand National dreams went up in smoke in April after his saddle slipped on the first circuit, but, before that, he looked a horse at the top of his game.
A 17-length demolition job in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster was pretty special in the grand scheme of things, but he is not just about stamina.
No better was that illustrated than in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase over this course and distance on Boxing Day when he produced a fleet-footed display to score by seven lengths.
Just as importantly, though, is the fact he goes well as a fresh horse, having won twice on his seasonal return under rules.
And with the ground seemingly just about ideal for him, it will be fascinating to see how Definitly Red gets on against the big two in a race which is never often quite as straightfor ward as the bookmakers would have us believe.
It is difficult to escape the charms of Lil Rockerfeller in the Grade Two West Yorkshire Hurdle.
Neil King ’s flagbearer was third in the race 12 months ago, but he has since made breathless progress, having finished runner-up in the Long Walk at Ascot and in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
King reports Lil Rockerfeller ``more for ward’’ than this time last year and he can be trusted to get the job done.