Grade Two Shloer Chase Guide 2022

Daly Tiger looks to have a massive task on here. He is without a win since December 2021, and that was an average handicap hurdle.

He’s been consistently outperformed at graded level recently, but he did run respectably behind Energumene in the Hilly Way chase prior to his hurdle win in December ’21.

If he can rediscover that kind of form, he might have a chance for third, but given his form, and consistency of late – that looks unlikely. Tough ask.

Nube Negra represents the top class of “open” company, of which, Edwardstone will be looking to infiltrate.

Nube Negra clearly sets the standard, he is a multiple G2 winner in open company, alongside several placed efforts in G1 company.

He often runs his best races when fresh – he took this very race last year by 6L from former Champion Chase winners; Politologue and Put The Kettle on in second and third respectively.

Nube Negra’s record fresh is fundamentally superb, and he will certainly have an edge on Edwardstone and the others here, but Edwardstone does look a very, very classy individual. Hugely interesting – this looks a match.

Sizing Pottsie is a very talented horse, but he may well come up short against the calibre of rival he’s up against today. He was last seen over hurdles, at Ayr, when winning in a hack-canter by 18L.

That very much looked like a prep race, given the conditions and the level. He should strip even fitter today, which is obviously a positive, but fundamentally – on the form book – he will likely be fighting out the finish for the honour of third.

Edwardstone was a seriously talented hurdler, whom maybe just lacked a finishing effort. However, that claim was firmly banished after last season’s campaign.

He impressed on several occasions – but his finest hour was without doubt that Arkle success. The manner in which he travelled, and his; quick, accurate jumping, really paid testament to this horses’ ability, now over the larger obstacles.

He was probably a shade over the top at Aintree, after a long season, so that’s best to forgive. He has Nube Negra to beat here, who’s no mug – but Edwardstone is clearly still a horse on the up. It’ll be fascinating to see how he measures up with genuine G1 horses, now in open company.

Exciting clash.

Ganapathi is now with trainer Patrick Neville, after his switch from the Willie Mullins yard. He was reasonably competitive during his novice year last season, winning two novice chases and finishing a good third in a G3 novice chase at Galway in the summer.

His overall form definitely falls short of a few of these, but he’s a useful enough horse. One suspects that if he was still trained by Willie Mullins, he certainly wouldn’t be as big as he currently trades in the market.

Will make a decent race of it for third.