‘It looked like his best opportunity’ – who could take advantage of the small field in the listed Colin Parker Memorial Chase?

The fact that Colin Parker is listed simply understates his value. Just look at the caliber of horse he can attract.

Among the last ten winners were subsequent winners of the Grand National (Many Clouds), the Ascot Chase (Patiently Waiting) and the Betfair Chase (Lostintranslation), a group that does not even include horses such as Ahoy Senor, Bristol De Mai , Korach. Rambler and Sirnam. All of these top-notch hunters were unable to compete in Carlisle’s annual event.

It is seen as a suitable starting point for building a season two chaser to achieve bigger goals, although the run may be missing a star if Dan Skelton suspends Gray Dawn due to conditions being faster than ideal.

The impressive Turners winner is 16-1 in the Gold Cup and his absence will provide a golden opportunity for the other four, whose BHA scores range from a minimum of 137 (Bill’s Top) to a maximum of 146 (Marble Sands).

Marble Sands receives £6 from lower rated company Colonel Harry and is the only runner on the roster ready to race. From this point of view, runners David Killahana and Graham McPherson can be beaten and it looks like a reasonable decision.

Two recent runs on all-weather tracks at Kempton and Southwell should have worked off any rust for this return to racing and durable surface suits.

Despite all this, Colonel Harry, Trap Law and Top Of The Bill need to improve to reach the level of Marble Sands, which is not impossible since we are still dealing with relatively inexperienced hunters. Of this group, Traprain Lowe, an energetic two-mile runner who is only six years old, would be of most interest if he remained on this longer journey for Lucinda Russell’s sake.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

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Snowden believes a colonel can lead from the front

Jamie Snowden hopes the strong seasonal appearance of Grade 2 winner Colonel Harry will help him prepare for the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury this month.

Owned by GD Partnership, who competed in the flagship Newbury jumping event last year with Datsalrightgino, the seven-year-old makes his first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April.

Colonel Harry won the Towton Novices’ Race last season at Wetherby and Snowden said: “He’s in great condition and he obviously had a great year last year. We are basing his early season campaign very much around the Coral Gold Cup so he needs a prep race as history dictates that all the Newbury race winners have run the race before.

“We understand the ground is drying up everywhere, but this looked like the best opportunity for him and I’m looking forward to seeing him.”

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What do they say

Dan Skelton, coach Gray dawn
I’m really pleased with him, he’s in better shape than he’s ever been at this time of year and we know we’ll be competing against older, more experienced horses. We just want to fight him. If we can’t, he’ll gallop and then head to the Betfair Chase.

Graham McPherson, Marble Sands Joint Trainer
This race had long been his target; The race conditions suit him very well. The ground looks perfect, he won well on the previous trip and is in good condition after a couple of spins on the Flat. He should have a really good race.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, Top Of The Bill trainer
He is very good and will run well. He’s a good horse and he did very well last season so hopefully he can have a good run.

Lucinda Russell, Trainer at Traprain Law
He’s really good and I’m looking forward to getting him back on the track. His victory was achieved left-handed over two miles on heavy ground, but it will be a different test. If it works, it will open up other races for him.
Reporting by Liam Headd

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