Victor Chandler Chase
Victor Chandler Chase ~ Will the Magic from Ditcheat Twist again on Saturday?
Few major races in the modern jumps calendar have had such a varied history than the Victor Chandler Chase.Originally scheduled to be run in 1987, the inaugural running didn't actually get staged until 1989 as first frost and then fog scuppered the '87 and '88 events.
And what a way to start, with the legendary Desert Orchid giving lumps of weight to the useful Panto Prince in a race that became part of the late-Grandstand's opening titles.
The race faired better in the 1990's with every running taking place, although three times the weather forced the race to be rescheduled, once to Warwick and twice to Kempton.
Things weren't a lot better in the 'noughties' with only six contests taking place at Ascot on the scheduled dates.
The race changed shape a couple of years ago when it changed to being a handicap to being classified as a Grade One.
This switch has made the contest a lot less interesting as a betting proposition, although it does reflect on the overall quality of the race - the roll of honour includes subsequent Champion Chase winners Viking Flagship, Call Equiname and Master Minded.
With the defending title holder, Master Minded, currently on his way back from a rib injury, the market favours another Ditcheat resident in Twist Magic.
And what a second choice!
The winner of seven of his 16 starts over the bigger obstacles, and having amassed close on £½m in prizemoney, Twist Magic is a genuine Grade One performer in his own right.
His career highlights to date include running a great race in the 2007 Champion Chase as a novice - could well have been placed, but fell three out. He then went on to win a Grade One at Punchestown.
In his first season in open company, Twist Magic won the Tingle Creek before running a good second to Tamarinbleu in the Victor Chandler. Having disappointed in the 2008 Champion Chase (only 6th to the majestic Master Minded when a 5/1 chance), the Nicholls runner went back to Punchestown to win again in the top grade.
Twist Magic, by his standards, had a modest campaign last season, but a win at Sandown in April, showed that he was still a force.
Paul Nicholls was justifiably pleased with the eight-year-old's opening run at Exeter, when giving weight all round and he showed the benefit of that experience with a career best effort last time out at Sandown.
Jumping supremely well for Ruby Walsh, Twist Magic made all the running in the Tingle Creek to come home a comfortable 15 lengths winner from Forpadydeplasterer.
On official ratings, that latest run gives Twist Magic at least 8lbs in hand of his field and with the Nicholls yard showing little sign of slowing down after the enforced break (double at Kempton on Saturday), the favourite looks to be hard to beat.
So what of the opposition.
The main market rivals to Twist Magic are Petit Robin and Well Chief.
Petit Robin did a demolition job of some useful horses at Newbury first time out last season, which saw him emerge as a serious contender for top honours. Second in the Desert Orchid at Kempton last year, he was firmly put in his place by Master Minded on his next two outings before a sound effort in the Melling Chase over 2m4f at Aintree (his beaten distance did not tell the whole story, as he was bang there until blundering). Always somewhere near the lead or in front, he kept on strongly and got the better of Well Chief (gave 2lbs) after the last, even after hitting it.
He promises to have a chance in an open-looking Queen Mother in March if aimed that way, but one would hope to see him keep his form for longer this season now that he is a year older. A step up in trip to 2m4f is very much on the cards at some stage, so the Ryanair Chase must enter calculations, and he is almost certainly best when fresh.
So, all in all, it is hard to see that Petit Robin will have conditions to suit on Saturday - having said that, he holds Well Chief on their Kempton running and still seems the most likely threat to Twist Magic.
Nick Williams has proved beyond doubt that he is a trainer to respect and the fact that he is set to send Cornas up from Devon this weekend to compete on level weights with proven Grade One performers speaks volumes for the esteem in which he holds this imposing New Zealand bred eight-year-old.
Cornas was a springer in the morning market when running a fine second at Exeter in November, and returned Haldon Hill for his latest start last month when winning a small conditions chase with consummate ease.
On the figures, Cornas has it all to do, but connections know what they have got at home, and it would be no surprise to see their charge hit the frame at Ascot.
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