Grade One Desert Orchid Chase Guide 2022

A tough going sort who took his winning run to 5 when landing the Arkle which was his second win at Grade 1 level.

He was then beaten by Gentleman De Mee at Aintree the following month, but I think that race came just a bit too soon after the Festival.

Alan King’s stable star returned better than ever when winning the Tingle Creek at Sandown beating Greaneteen by 9 lengths.

Edwardstone does not really get spoken about enough compared to other top horses, but he is a superstar and looks set to continue his great form here with another victory.

A repeat of last time out will make him the one they all have to beat. The worthy favourite by some distance.

Has not been seen all too often in recent times, but was a very stylish winner of this race two years ago and was arguably unlucky not to win the Champion Chase in 2021.

Was an impressive winner of a Grade 2 at Cheltenham on comeback last season and won a weak renewal of the same race on return 6 weeks ago.

A bold bid is expected and could well be the one to challenge the current odds on favourite. Nube Negra could be well positioned in what could be a slowly run affair this year.

The Skelton’s have been targeting some big races in recent months so it would be no surprise to see them go close here.

The 8 year old rates a big danger to all.

Trainer Venetia Williams has had this horse well-tuned up since he got sent chasing after his pretty poor hurdling career.

He progressed well in open company last season, taking the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury beating Sceau Royal by 2 lengths, and put up a career-best when second in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Failed to settle before getting pulled up when returning to a longer trip at Aintree which did not seem to suit and failed to make any impression on seasonal reappearance in the Tingle Creek last time out.

May have needed that run, but this looks tough. Dropping down to 2 miles will probably see him in better light so he cannot be totally ruled out for that exact reason.

A fairly impressive front-running chaser last season and was a dual winner at around 2 miles at Cheltenham prior to a solid fourth in the Grand Annual at the Festival.

Finished a respectable third under a change of tactics on return there in October, but this is a big step up to Grade 2 company.

Editeur Du Gite could be expected to race from the front as you will probably get the best out of him if this was to happen.

Lacks the experience in better quality races, but may get the run of the race if things were to fall in place for him.

Not totally opposed as it looks unlikely, but he could be a player if he is at is best.

Won the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase here in January over 2m4f, but this inconsistent jumper has generally struggled since.

He did in fact travel with purpose in the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase 23 days ago, but folded under pressure and has plenty to do here in Grade 2 company again.

Trainer Nicky Henderson has a 23% strike rate at the course since the start of the 2018/19 season.

Dolos seems to run his better races at Sandown these days and he was victorious when winning a handicap at the Scilly Isles meeting for the third time in February.

Paul Nicholls’ 9 year old then finished a decent second from 1 lb out of the weights in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on return, but finds himself in much deeper waters here.

Trainer has only won two of the past ten runnings of the race so he would certainly be a shock winner here. One of the outsiders so can be dismissed at a big price.

He was a fairly smart chaser for trainer Jessica Harrington who, having changed hands made the most of a good opportunity to land an Ayr novice hurdle in October.

Has not kicked on since and now faces a near on impossible task back over the larger obstacles.

One who can be ignored and may well go off as the biggest priced outsider.