The Grand Annual Chase has often been a fantastic betting heat with backers searching for one last golden moment before Cheltenham draws to a close and this year, it can go the way of Rock The World.
Jessica Harrington is a very shrewd operator in her native Ireland and it always pays to take note when she sends a horse across to Irish Sea for an engagement at Cheltenham.
She is usually very selective with her engagements at Prestbury Park, so the fact that Rock The World has seemingly been laid for this race means he has to be taken very seriously.
He was kept busy over the summer, with a wide-margin win at Ballinrobe before chasing home leading Arkle hope The Game Changer. He was put away for a short break before reappearing at Galway, where he looked in need of the run, when runner-up behind Sizing Platinum.
Rock The World reversed form with The Game Changer on his next start at Galway, before failing to give weight to Rightdownthemiddle, though he did comfortably finish ahead of Guitar Pete, giving him weight.
His final start was the most eye-catching, as he was sent across to have a look at the Cheltenham fences in a three-runner novices’ chase.
Dormello Mio and Qewy were his opponents and both of those have ran nice enough races since, but neither were good enough to match Rock The World on the day.
He travelled strongly, jumped well and galloped on smartly up the Cheltenham hill, to suggest he will relish the stiff test coming up in the finale. At his current 12/1, he looks a fair each-way bet and could well turn out to be the horse to round off a wonderful week off a nice mark of 146.
Whatever the result, we hope you’ve had an enjoyable week and don’t forget, Aintree will soon be on the horizon!
Odds subject to change.
