The handicap chase at Clairefontaine today (4.18pm) features three last-time-out winners at the head of the market, but at a bigger price I am keen on the chances of Haddexa Des Obeaux.
The five year old ran seven times over fences last year, winning at Craon in September, where she beat Here I Am off levels, form that would give her the beating of these. Her previous fourth here came in a better race than this, and her previous seconds over fences last May/June were against rivals rated 60+ over hurdles.
She has been running exclusively over the smaller obstacles this year and hasn’t been in the same form, though she had a tough task at Auteuil two starts back and the runs either side, while not setting the world alight, haven’t been too bad.
Her yard had been very quiet this year, until springing to life in recent weeks – Nicolas Devilder has had three winners, a third and two fourths from his last seven runners, and both his representatives at Clairefontaine last week ran well.
Devilder had the winner of the first division of this handicap chase on this card last year and I’d imagine this has been the target for Haddexa Des Obeaux for a little while.
4.18pm Clairefontaine – 2pts win, 1pt place Haddexa Des Obeaux @ 15/2 (most firms, including William Hill, Quinnbet, Pari Match, Fitzdares)