Andy Gibson's Eyecatchers: Fallout from the Savills Chase
Horse racing analyst Andy Gibson takes a look back at December's Savills Chase at Leopardstown as a yardstick to measure some of the contenders' prospects at Cheltenham in March.
He had Kemboy a similar margin behind at Aintree in April when chasing home Clan Des Obeaux, so maybe that comparison is as reliable as any when assessing where this winner stands in the pecking order.
- Andy's Eyecatchers Service will be available to trial on Tipstrr from January 14 until the end of the month. Click here for more information
Kemboy past his best?
The runner-up in the Savills Chase was Kemboy, who is now on a losing run of 12 races stretching back to February 2021.
Fury Road stayed on past a tiring rival or two to finish a flattering third in a race that lacked depth for a Grade 1 chase. He has been raised to 158 after this performance and is extremely flattered by that response.
Furthermore, I am not sure how much Franco De Port has actually achieved here in running past a tired rival to take fourth place. He might have earned his connections a few grand in prize money, but beat very little that ran a race.
The horse to keep an eye on
Betwixt and between?
The time comparisons with the novice chase later on the card add some substance to this being more a test of speed than of stamina. Maybe he will stay better when competing off a faster pace, which in turn could help him to settle in the first half of the race.
Handicap route looks the way to go
- Learn more about Andy's Eyecatchers Service by visiting Tipstrr