10:14am Saturday 23rd February 2008
By Flared Nostril
A LOT of the top-tier contenders are being held back for the Cheltenham Festival in a fortnight, giving a second diviison looks about today's Racing Post Handicap Chase at Kempton. But PALARSHAN can benefit by the stayaways with a bold showing.
Henry Daly's charge was a close-up fourth to L'Anatartique in the ultra-competitive Paddy Power Chase at Cheltenham earlier this season, despite being hampered by the fall of ill-fated Granit Jack.
Waiting tactics were over-done a bit next time out when he failed to get into the argument against Tamarinbleu and Le Volfoni at the same track, but the extra distance of this three-mile trip and a visor to help him concentrate can see him take a valuable prize.
Bagan looks the danger. Charlie Mann's improving sort is well in on offocial ratings as he is due to carry 7lb more in future races after a cosy win last time out. He might need softer ground to be at his peak, however, and Palarsham is preffered.
Donald McCain is enthusiastic about the chances of BANNISTER LANE in the Eider Chase at Newcastle. This relentless galloper looks like a potential Grand National Horse for the future and we will know a lot more after he tackles this marathon four-mile test.
McCain is expected a fair bit of improvement, especially now the rain has come, and he looks good each-way value iff you can get on early.
Howard Johnson's stable is under a cloud, but even so PERCUSSIONIST is hard to oppose in the 2.25pm race at the North-East track.
An awesome stayer on the flat, he has not always looked straight-forward over obstacles, but he can provide a bit of good news among the gloom for his handler.
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