Hunter Chase - 5.35 Wetherby

[Darran]

I know that it was frustrating that we could have got 3/1 about Risk A Fine, but it is worth pointing out that if I had been able to do the preview the night before racing as I usually do then the price was around the same price we backed it at anyway. It was great to see him perform like that and I can't help but think he was below par at Wincanton. Brave Jaq is a solid yardstick for the form and even he couldn't keep up with the winner who set a solid tempo and jumped really well. He was beaten 21L at the line. Marinero was never in contention and although the ground might have been quick enough for him he wouldn't have beaten the winner whatever.

Not surprisingly Marinero was taken out of the Wetherby race this afternoon which leaves us with just the 3 runners. Those of you who have been reading my stuff for most of the season will know I like Always On The Run. I thought he ran well behind Hazel Hill at Chaddesley Corbett when 3rd when making the running and he faded out of it late on. He came on for that run when finishing a good 3rd to Road To Rome at Ludlow. So he has run behind the Foxhunter winner and 4th so far this season. Track, trip and ground should be perfect for him and he is the one they have to beat especially as he is likely to be dictating things from the front.

Ravished was 3rd and 2nd in his first 2 points this season and then at Hutton Rudby last time he went and won by a huge 40L in the fastest time of the day. That is obviously impressive, but I have concerns about the worth of that form. He was the joint youngest horse in the race at 11 and it wasn't a strong field. Still you have to respect any horse that can win a race by 40L. Iron Chancellor also won on the card, but was 2 seconds slower carrying less weight and as much as he is in the best form he has been in for a while he shouldn't really be winning this.

I was at one stage considering putting up a small bet on Ravished mainly based on price, but at the end of the day I think Always On The Run is the most likely winner. I couldn't see Ravished getting within 10L of Road To Rome and he kept tabs on Hazel Hill for a fair way on his opening run of the season as well. I think the current price is about right though so I won't be suggesting a bet on it. Given it is heading towards 11pm in Melbourne I won't be able to update this should he drift out, but I would be happy to have a bet at a shade of odds on or bigger.