Slate House built for this kind of race
SANTINI and Bristol de Mai will strive to enhance their Gold Cup credentials in this afternoon’s Cotswold Chase, but SLATE HOUSE (Cheltenham, 2.25) may have a say in the destiny of the Grade Two feature. Colin Tizzard boasts a raft of staying chasers at his disposal with the likes of Lostintranslation, Elegant Escape and Native River poised to make a serious impact on jump racing’s premier chases this spring and the eight-year-old could join that select band with a prominent showing today. After displaying plenty of early promise as a hurdler, Slate House has been something of a slow burner over fences, to such an extent that this is his second season as a novice. The selection was actually allowed to tackle the two-mile Arkle Chase at last year’s Festival, which seems remarkable when his latest victory came in the three-mile Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas. Admittedly, that race fell apart with fallers decimating a small field but Slate House put his experience to good use, is still improving and is capable of progressing further when tackling a stiffer test of stamina. That theory will be tested this afternoon when Tizzard’s gelding steps out of novice company once more. Another positive is his volume of track form which is accumulating at a rapid rate and his course stats would arguably be more impressive but for an unfortunate departure two fences from home in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. Connections have rebuilt his confidence since and he appears capable of springing a mini surprise, especially if Top Ville Ben and Bristol de Mai go hammer and tongs at the head of affairs. The nap vote goes the way of
LUST FOR GLORY
(Cheltenham, nap, 4.10) who is afforded the chance to prove her comeback effort at Ascot behind Not So Sleepy was no fluke. She finished two lengths behind a horse who turned a competitive Christmas handicap at the same venue into a rout. The selection subsequently failed to cut much ice in a warm two-and-a-half mile contest at today’s venue when poorly positioned and too keen before she was sent over fences without success. A return to the minimum trip and hurdles should suit her.