Grand Annual Handicap Chase Friday

The panel at the Betfair preview made some interesting observations on this race. French Opera and Tchicos Polos don't run, so the weights are going to go up. Most years you are looking for a horse near the bottom of the weights which is unexposed. Such an animal is Brendan Powell's Shoreacres who I backed for this race last year before he was a late withdrawal. This looks to be the long term target again this year as he's only had one run since, winning a small novice chase easily at Taunton. He has Festival form having finished fourth in Cousin Vinny's Bumper and could be very well treated- Thanks For That who he may well have beaten off levels in his pre-Cheltenham prep last year now has to give him 7lbs and is the favourite here. 12/1 with William Hills should be taken. 17/3/11 Another that interests me tonight is Alan King's novice Mister Stickler. I'll be taking some 33/1 in the morning each way. unpl 6/1, unpl 25/1.