Weekend Preview/Review 
/ Adam Brookes / 25 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Quinz seeks to continue Johnson and Hobbs' fine record in the RP Chase
"Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson, who have won the RP Chase three and four times respectively since 1999, combine with the progressive Quinz."
With four Graded races at Kempton, and a stamina-sapping Eider at Newcastle, Timeform runs the rule over the weekend's likely contenders.
Undoubtedly, the Racing Post Chase heads Saturday's line-up with the winners from the previous two year's both set to contest the race once again. On this season's form you would have to favour 2008 winner Nacarat's chances of regaining the crown, but despite showing nothing so far this term, last year's hero Razor Royale is not without a chance if showing some of his old sparkle, whilst Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson, who have won this three and four times respectively since 1999, combine with the progressive Quinz.
A very solid jumper, Quinz shouldn't be judged too harshly on his defeat by Time For Rupert last time as he made the running for most of that race, and should be able to get a lead in a contest of this nature. He is closely matched with his stable companion Mostly Bob, however, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see either continue the trainer's success in this race.
Market leader Fistral Beach looked a different horse to the one that struggled to get his head in front last year with a comfortable win on his reappearance and will be hard to keep out of the frame. Of the others, Tatenen is somewhat inconsistent, Sagalyrique is improving but has no experience of this sort of race and Bakbenscher has to step up significantly on form, therefore Hey Big Spender is the most likely outsider to trouble the fancied horses.
A fantastic days racing at Kempton begins with the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle where some interesting youngsters take to the stage, headed by French import Tonic Mellysse. Despite only winning his first of four bumpers, he showed fairly useful form when winning his only start over hurdles at Pau in December and must be considered here. In the same colours, and indeed from the same motherland, the maiden Molotof's British debut will also be highly anticipated and it remains to be seen how good they both are. Of those we're already familiar with, Kumbeshwar ranks the most likely danger after his third in a warm race last time, but First Fandango is unbeaten and has a good attitude.
The stellar supporting card continues with the Pendil Novices' Chase, which looks a great chance for Captain Chris to finally gain a deserved victory after bumping into Ghizao (twice)and Medermit on his three chase starts so far. He faces nothing of that calibre tomorrow, for all that Adams Island and American Trilogy have ability, and connections will be disappointed if he doesn't come through this race unscathed.
The final Graded race on the card is the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle over two miles where the largely progessive Toubab looks set to face stiff competition from recent winner Sire de Grugy and another French import in Celtus. Points of View and Pullyourfingerout are beginning to look exposed so Yourgonnabelucky and Empire Levant are the others to watch out for.
Over at Newcastle, should the meeting get the go-ahead, winning the Eider Chase is going to require an endless supply of stamina in what promises to be very testing ground. Belon Gale is sure to be popular as he stays four miles and acts on heavy going, but he has been prone to mistakes and that could leave the door open for thorough stayer Morgan Be, who will find this sort of race ideal. Giles Cross is another to consider but the question remains as to whether he truly stays this sort of trip, and, whilst Comply Or Die won this race two years ago before taking the Grand National, it's going to take a huge effort to repeat the feat as a twelve-year-old, for all that he ran reasonably well when behind West End Rocker last time.
On Sunday, the dish of the day is the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell, where Celestial Halo has the opportunity to confirm last weekend's nose defeat by Mille Chief didn't flatter him by lining up against Karabak, Sentry Duty and Blackjack Blues. The step back up in trip isn't likely to inconvenience Celestial Halo and he looks the one to beat, with the Aintree Hurdle likely to be on the agenda later in the year.
Across the pond, action at Leopardstown also features some quality performers with Sublimity, Beau Michael and Psycho lining up in the Ballsbridge Hurdle, before Osirixamix and Prince Erik seek to continue their progress in the novice chase.
With four Graded races at Kempton, and a stamina-sapping Eider at Newcastle, Timeform runs the rule over the weekend's likely contenders....
Timeform look back at the weekend's racing at Ascot, Haydock, Wincanton and Gowran Park...
Timeform look ahead to the weekend's racing, which includes a Grade 1 steeplechase at Ascot as well as the final preparations for several Cheltenham Festival contenders......
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