I have him for the centenary but I think its a 0=140 and he’s taken down from odds checker. Could be a Wichita Linesman then.
Actually you’re right Shack, it does have a ceiling of 140 – even though Hunt Ball won it off 142 last year (carrying 12 st) so he must have had a penalty.
Article from 7th Jan before his last win
Third in the Pertemps Final over hurdles last March, Paul Webber’s inmate was bought by JP McManus in October.
After finishing second on his first two starts over fences, he opened his account with a victory at Plumpton,
which also qualifies him for a hefty bonus if he wins a chase at the Festival
.
"We’re stepping him up a little bit in trip," said Webber.
"We’ve been trying to find a stepping stone that doesn’t ask him too many questions and hopefully this is it. We don’t want to throw him in at the deep end just yet.
"As for what his eventual target might be, that will be up up to Frank Berry (McManus’ racing manager) and the boys to decide a plan nearer the time.
"We’re just trying to get some experience while we can and with the ground being as it is, it’s a case of trying not to bottom him too soon.
"
The idea of running him over two miles earlier in the season was just to sharpen up his jumping and hopefully it’s worked
."
and stats for the race (courtesy of ATR)
Positives
Officially rated under 144
Last-time-out winners
Novices
The first four in the betting
Trained by Alan King, Nicky Henderson or Jonjo O’Neill
Owned by J P McManus
Placed at the Festival before
Negatives
Officially rated 150+
Aged 11 or older
Trained by Paul Nicholls
The fact that he’s trained by Paul Webber (who is 0-24 at the festival) is the biggest worry but everything else looks in place for this strong travelling sort and I’ve just had my first ever ante post bet on one of the festival handicaps @ 12s (NRFB).
Lee