Bet365 Charlie Hall - The Contenders

Generally the Charlie Hall kicks off the season for most National Hunt fans. It's become a bit of a debate amongst pundits as to when the season starts, but when I started getting into horse racing - most people said this was the real kick off for the season. It's always been a race I've always watched, maybe not had a bet in, but always found enjoyable. As per usual with racing in the United Kingdom, the big graded races outside of Cheltenham tend to be small fields and aren't that competitive. The sooner the BHA get to grips with the state of things, the better, as the racing just isn't competitive enough and there is TOO MUCH RACING. As fans of the sport, we want to see competitive racing every single weekend and often it isn't. Rant over, let's get on with previewing the Charlie Hall.

CHILLI FILLI - 8yo - Henry Daly

Currently priced at 16/1 and would need most horses in this race to underperform if she was to get her head infront. Last seen winning a listed race at Perth in April, she is currently rated 143 and despite getting around half a stone from horses like Cyrname, it won't be enough. Still no jockey booking yet so not sure she will turn up.

CLONDAW CASTLE - 9yo - Tom George

This is a very good horse, and often overlooked in the past by many punters. Last seen finishing a well beaten 2nd to Clan Des Obeaux at Aintree after a long season mixing it in graded races and good handicaps. Although he isn't in the same league as Clan Des Obeaux, he is a horse with a very high cruising speed and pretty genuine, although isn't a horse who wants to hit the front too early. I think this race will be absolutely perfect for him as he's a good jumper, travels well and stays the 3 miles well enough on a flat track. Unless the ground is bordering on heavy, then you need a horse who can gallop and jump, and not lose ground with slow jumping or not having the pace to keep yourself in the pack. Often stayers will come home fairly strong but the race would of been won already by quicker horses, and this is why a horse like Clondaw Castle will be comfortable competing at the latter end of the race. Definitely on the shortlist.

CYRNAME - 9yo - Paul Nicholls

What can you say about Cyrname? Looks top class on his day but I can't say I ever took to him. Yes, he beat Altior (not sure Altior was right that day myself) and he's already an impressive winner of the Charlie Hall last season, but I just can't take to him. We all know his ability when he's on his A-game but it's hard to trust the horse at 5/4 (best price). I can imagine he's a horse who needs to be caught first time out and then his form may dip as he clearly has a mental issue. No doubt the best horse in the field on his day, and there isn't much to say about him that people don't know already, however I can't take the 5/4 currently that's for sure. Reigning champion, he can win without a penny on for me.

FUSIL RAFFLES - 6yo - Nicky Henderson

Likely to be going to the Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot instead of this race, he could be the fly in the ointment for Cyrname as he's totally unexposed at the trip. Whilst he doesn't strike me as a horse crying out for 3 miles, there is a slight positive on breeding and being a juvenile hurdler - they tend to want a trip in time. He also improved as he stepped up in trip last season, finishing a good 2nd in the Marsh Novice Chase at the Festival in March, sticking on well behind Chantry House. Last seen at Newton Abbot in an Intermediate Chase 2 weeks ago, he had a hard job giving weight away to the talented novice chaser Bravemansgame. That was likely a prep run for this weekend's chosen target.

He could be one to back on the day if he is declared, as he will have the necessary pace to travel with the classier horses and it would all depend on whether you believe his stamina will last out. I'm on the fence, so 11/2 wouldn't be a price I'd be taking from an antepost view and he would be a horse you would look to back on the morning of the race when all conditions are known. Gets 6lb off Cyrname and needs better ground generally.

KITTY'S LIGHT - 5yo - Christian Williams

The talented young trainer Christian Williams has done wonders with this horse, having run some consistent races in some good handicap chases despite only being a 5 year old. Not many 4 year olds can finish 3rd in a Badges Ale Handicap Chase at Wincanton, which this gelding did last season. It's crazy to think that Kitty's Light is not even bred for hurdles, let alone chasing. Bred by the classy Nathaniel, his mother raced once on the flat. Last seen getting nailed at Chepstow in a decent handicap, he could well be the toughest horse in this race. He probably needs a bit further as he is a horse who lacks gears, but certainly doesn't lack guts. For a horse who stays as well as he does, he needs better ground and might find the rain forecast on Thursday not to his liking. Although he will likely find a quicker horse too much for him, he will be trying his heart out and a top 3 finish would give connections a great deal of pleasure. Also gets weight from some of the main contenders.

MIGHTY THUNDER - 8yo - Lucinda Russell

Another horse who will be doing his best work late, some rain on Thursday may help this gelding lay up with the other contenders, despite being at his best on better ground. Winner of the Scottish Grand National last season, his mark of 151 might be tough for him this season and may have to run in high grade handicaps or graded chases this season to run his mark down back to a winnable one. The big positive for him is that he has only raced 6 times over fences, so he may have some improvement left. If there is enough rain to help slow down the quicker horses, he could run into a place if there the dead eight all run.

SHAN BLUE - 7yo - Dan Skelton

The lurker in the pack. Winner of the Kauto Star Novices Chase at Kempton last season on Boxing Day, it's expected his main target will be the King George at the aforementioned racecourse this Christmas (Tipped up on the site by @Ruby_Tuesday59). However if the ground is still on the better side, he could run a solid race as a prep. A horse who has looked more comfortable at middle distances due to his outstanding jumping, he is actually bred to enjoy longer trips and when he starts relaxing and being less exuberant, you could see a different horse in terms of his stamina lasting out over 3 miles. If he gets into a rhythm here on decent ground with his jumping, he could be hard to peg back. Especially if Harry Skelton rides him a little more conservatively.

Although he is rated 20lb below Cyrname and 11lb below Clondaw Castle, I think he'll be the one to give them the most to think about as long as his stamina lasts out. I wonder if Harry will have him tucked in behind Top Ville Ben this time rather then being the front runner as he doesn't have to lead.

TOP VILLE BEN - 9yo - Philip Kirby

A really decent horse who was the flag bearer for the Kirby stable at one point, he's only been seen once in 18 months where he pulled up in France. Ran in the 2020 edition of this race on soft ground, where he ran no sort of race and finished well beaten. A horse who is better going from the front and dictating his own sectionals, as long as he retains his ability from his first couple of seasons, he can compete in decent handicaps in the North again including a tilt at the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day, a race he's won before in 2019. The likelihood is that he will need the run and will come on for the run, but connections will be happy with a solid run from him at his 'home ground'.

SUMMARY

The likelihood is that this will be 6 or 7 runners with Fusil Raffles likely to go the Sodexo Gold Cup, but would be a nice addition to the race if he is sent up by Nicky Henderson. Cyrname at 5/4 doesn't appeal, whilst he will be going there fit and firing by Paul Nicholls. The 3 I will concentrate on are Clondaw Castle, Shan Blue and Fussil Raffles, and it will all depend on how much rain they get on the Thursday and Friday. The horse who I expect to be there at the finish on both better ground, and soft-ish ground is CLONDAW CASTLE, and he would be the tentative selection right now. He will be trained for this race by Tom George, as he has a good record fresh and he might see it as a race he can capture whilst others might need the first time run. As mentioned before, on better ground you prefer to look for horses who can travel comfortably and jump well. Clondaw Castle can do both these things, and is at his best on flat tracks. He is the selection at 9/2 right now.

Shan Blue will run well in a pipe opener for the King George with his excellent jumping, whilst Fussil Raffles could unlock plenty of doors if he gets the 3 mile trip. Kitty's Light will be the one staying on at the end, and I hope runs well for his exciting trainer.