Timeform Daily: Racing Post Chase, Saturday, Kempton 15:00

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25 February 2011 /
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Paul Nicholls: Does a second Racing Post Chase await with Fistral Beach?

“The 2009 winner Nacarat has to enter the reckoning from a handicapping perspective but, with his stable going through a quiet spell, Fistral Beach looks a safer option with a 9 lb rise for his reappearance success looking perfectly fair”

Timeform go through the field for Saturday’s showpiece…

Nacarat is a front runner who put up a career best when runner-up in this race last year from a 2 lb higher mark. He has not done much wrong this season and is now tried tongue tied, but the stable could be going better.

Hey Big Spender developed into a smart novice last term and arrives here on the back of personal best when a ready winner over 2½m at Warwick two weeks ago. The return to this trip is fine, and he is not out of it despite a penalty.

Tatenen lost his way for Paul Nicholls last season but has been revitalised for his current stable, impressing with his jumping when a ready winner at Ascot last month. His overall profile off-putting though, as is a 13 lb rise.

Free World is a bold-jumping 2m chaser but has just the one win to his name over the larger obstacles. He has not been at his best either start this season, and ha never shaped as if 3m is what he wants.

Quinz struggled in the jumping department when first tried over fences. He has been a different proposition this time round, winning two of three starts, and comes here fresh after a break, but his new mark demands even more.

Bakbenscher is not the best of jumpers over fences. That hasn’t stopped him winning three times in the last year or so, and his latest success at Exeter represents his best form yet, but he has no margin for error back in a handicap.

Crescent Island has always had his own ideas, but joined a lengthy list of horses from his stable to win after a long absence over 2½m at Wetherby three weeks ago. Trip, track and temperament are all reasons to oppose him here, though.

Razor Royale‘s career highlight came when just getting the better of Nacarat in this contest last year. He has largely run poorly since, so it’s hard to be too positive about his bid for a repeat win after another break.

Mount Oscar was right back to his best when winning a 2½m handicap chase at Newbury for the second year in succession in November. He was not in the same form at Wincanton last month, and the handicapper probably has his measure.

Fistral Beach deserved more than a solitary win in 2009/10, and looked better than ever when a most convincing winner on his reappearance at Wincanton. The return to 3m is fine, and he could well shrug off a 9 lb rise.

Piraya was successful over 2½m at Warwick around a year ago, and has got back to that level when placed twice this season. He is not the easiest to win with, though, and looked hard work at Ascot last time.

Mostly Bob was lightly raced before this season but has a good strike rate, winning readily at Doncaster on only third run over fences. He is open to more progress, and the stable boasts a fine record in this race.

Sagalyrique shaped as if amiss on his first two starts this season, but has looked a totally different proposition when winning both races since. He is effective at this trip, but is up 7 lb in a better race.

Polyfast made a successful chasing debut at this track and was better than ever when adding to his tally back here last month, both those wins over 2½m. He has a career-high mark to contend with back at 3m.

Door Boy made a promising start over fences last season, winning at up to 3m at Aintree and Newcastle. He has finished weakly however, and though he’s had excuses this time round others hold more obvious claims.

Ringaroses was resurgent for his new stable last spring, posting a career best when following up a chase win in a 3m handicap hurdle at Aintree. He didn’t offer much on his return over timber, though.

Safari Adventures is a front runner who improved markedly when a wide-margin winner over 2½m at Aintree in June. He extended his run of placed efforts when just beaten by Polyfast here last time, but stamina is a worry up in trip.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Fistral Beach
2. Nacarat
3. Hey Big Spender

Timeform View: The 2009 winner Nacarat has to enter the reckoning from a handicapping perspective but, with his stable going through a quiet spell, Fistral Beach looks a safer option with a 9 lb rise for his reappearance success looking perfectly fair. Hey Big Spender also makes plenty of appeal despite a penalty.

Timeform Daily: Racing Post Chase, Saturday, Kempton 15:00