RACING anorak Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) analyses the field for the Ultima Handicap Chase, the third race of Day 1's action from the 2020 Festival.
Ultima Handicap Chase | Tuesday 10th March 2020, 14:50 | ITV1
The Ultima Handicap Chase is a break from the Grade 1 action and as ever looks wide open. However, there is one here that despite having top weight to burden could yet be much better than a handicapper.
Who Dares Wins has previous Festival form and races here off a mark 4lbs off his hurdle rating and he also shapes like the extra distance here will suit him. But he has only three chase starts to his name and has made errors which would be punished here. With a clean round of jumping he's a contender, but that's a big if.
The Conditional comes here with a live each-way chance. He's got course form and plenty of big field experience. He was however a little below par at Warwick last time out and that's put me off him.
Vinndication (7/1 Bet365) has long had a huge reputation which was dented when he was beaten by Defi Du Seuil and Lostintranslation last season. Even so, that form is now top class, and be has also improved for the step up in trip this year. He won well at Ascot last time and providing he gets into a rhythm (he didn't in the JLT last year) he could be a cut above these.
Best Bets
Ultima Handicap Chase – Vinndication each-way (7/1 Bet365)
