Grade Two Denman Chase Guide 2023

Recorded a career-best victory at Aintree in the Grade Three Betway Handicap Chase in April last year, where he beat favourite Dan Skelton’s Shan Blue by fifteen lengths.

He followed that with a decent third in a chase won by Bravemansgame at Wetherby in October before a disappointing fifth of six in the Many Clouds chase at Aintree in December, where Noble Yeats won by three lengths.

His chasing form has been very inconsistent and is dismissed here if in that same form but can spring a surprise as we saw with that victory at Aintree in April when priced at 28/1.

Older than most in this contest whose good days are probably in the past, with his last victory coming in 2019. He has a grade one success in his locker but has since struggled in his most recent outings.

Finished sixth last time out at Wetherby over Christmas after a long break following his fourth-place finish in the 2021 Ryanair Chase won by Allaho.

Difficult to weigh up his chances here with so little to go off in the last couple of years and with his best days probably in the past, I’d be looking elsewhere for the winner.

We last saw Eldorado Allen finish fourth in the King George at Kempton in December, where Hitman was pulled up.

He finished 11 lengths behind Cheltenham Gold Cup hopeful Protektorat in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November prior to that run following another runners up performance at Wetherby in October, finishing three lengths behind Bravemansgame.

We last saw this gelding win in this contest last year, where he beat the likes of Royale Pagaille, Clan Des Obeaux and Imperial Aura.

He also boasts victory over Hitman at Exeter in 2021 in the Betway Haldon Gold Cup and has a lot of chasing experience.

He has won races at this distance and is the reigning Denman Chase champion with victory here last year. Should go close again.

Has an excellent record at this course and hasn’t lost in a chase here but this is a step up in company. Ran a disappointing seventh of 11 last time out at Wetherby in December after his most recent win came here in November in the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase, beating Demachine by 12 lengths.

As mentioned, form here is good, both chasing and hurdling but this is a completely different test and one he may struggle with.

First run since November for this Kim Bailey gelding who won the Jewson Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, beating Eva’s Oskar by a length and three quarters.

That followed a fall at the first in the Edinburgh Gin Chase at Kelso in October and a 19th placed finish in the Grade 3 Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival, where Corach Rambler stayed on well to win in the 3m 1f contest.

He's a specialist at this distance and has won in good company, so could be an interesting runner at his current price of around 6/1 and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Experienced chaser for Venetia Williams who has won four chases in his career, including two in France.

His first victory came at Newbury in November 2019 in the Ladbrokes Chase, before finishing a disappointing fifth of six in the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at 6/4 favourite where Global Citizen triumphed.

Most recently finished third of 11 at Wetherby in a chase won by Into Overdrive as well as finishing fourth in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham Festival last March, where 4/7f Allaho cruised home.

He has more to find at this distance, with all his wins coming at 2m 3f or below. However, he likes this ground and can run well in a race that feels slightly open.

Experienced chaser for Paul Nicholls, often competing in graded company. He has shown consistent form in his chasing career, finishing in the top three on ten occasions, with three victories.

The most recent of those wins came at Haydock in November last year, where he won the Get Daily Rewards With Betfair Graduation Chase by 11 lengths back to Erne River in second.

Pulled up before three out in the King George at Kempton last time out, where Bravemansgame beat the likes of L’Homme Presse and fellow runner here Eldorado Allen.

We should be expecting him to finish in the top three here and is currently the market favourite, with many anticipating a big claim for victory, however he’s unproven at this distance.