Old Roan Chase 2018 Betting Tips: Dream Too Good To Risk

Steve Mullington

October 25th, 2018

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Quick Tips

• Back Cloudy Dream to Win at 9/2 with Coral
• Back Value At Risk Each-Way at 10/1 with BetVictor

As the dust begins to settle on the Flat season in Europe, punters eyes are drawn towards the new jumps season, which begins in earnest this weekend in Britain with betting on the Old Roan Chase at Aintree.

What is the Old Roan Chase?

The 'Monet’s Garden' Old Roan Chase is a Grade 2 chase, run on the Mildmay course at Aintree. It's a limited handicap that kick-starts the jumps season for the top two-and-a-half mile chasers, having been won by the likes of Kauto Star, Monet’s Garden (2007, 2009, and 2010), Alberta’s Run, Wishfull Thinking and last year by another popular grey, Smad Place.

Old Roan Favourite

Last year’s runner-up Cloudy Dream (nap) makes his debut for new trainer Donald McCain at Aintree on Sunday. The Trevor Hemmings-owned eight-year-old has been the subject of sustained support in the Old Roan Chase betting all week, with the opening show of 6/1 being snapped up early, and 9/2 with Coral being the best price left now.

Cloudy Dream, who was formerly trained by the late Malcolm Jefferson and then by his daughter Ruth, was second to Smad Place in this Grade 2 last season. His final run of that campaign was also at Aintree when he was fifth of six behind Politologue in the Grade One JLT Melling Chase.

Whilst under the tutelage of Jefferson, he went from being a smart hurdler to having a great first season over fences. He won three of his seven starts, finishing runner-up on the four other occasions.

His efforts in defeat in that 2016/17 season included a staying on six-length second to Altior in the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, which was no mean feat. His 2017/18 season bore no fruits whatsoever, with four runner-up spots filled in his six races, but a change of scenery to McCain’s Bankhouse stables in Cholmondeley, Cheshire, may well be the spark he needs to reignite his career.

McCain was very bullish about his Old Roan chances after a recent racecourse gallop at Haydock, and it's definitely advised to take an early price now with your horse racing bookmaker - as Cloudy Dream is certain to go off shorter on Sunday. If you want to have a bet on the Old Roan Chase, Cloudy Dream is the one at 9/2 with Coral.

Goes Well Fresh

Paul Nicholls is has saddled the winner of the Old Roan Chase twice, with Kauto Star in 2006 and Sound Investment three years ago. The 10-time champion trainer has Modus and Frodon entered up, with the latter looking his most likely runner: Modus will probably head to race at Cheltenham on Saturday instead.

Frodon, who won a Grade 3 chase at Cheltenham in January under Bryony Frost, will carry top weight of 11st 10lb in the Limited Handicap, just 1lb more than Cloudy Dream.

The six-year-old has won 8 of his 21 starts, his Caspian Caviar Gold Cup victory at Cheltenham looking particularly impressive, when he beat a decent field of 16 at the headquarters of jumps racing. Frodon appears to go well fresh and the 10/1 available with Paddy Power looks pretty generous.

Tempting Comeback

In May 2016, the Emma Lavelle-trained Javert was looking like a progressive chaser, after picking up a valuable Haydock prize, but a tendon injury intervened and he did not return to the track until September 23, 2018.

Back racing after an 869-day lay-off, the nine-year-old landed a nice handicap chase by two lengths from a field of 13 at Uttoxeter, ridden by Leighton Aspell, to the thrill of his connections.

Prior to his setback, Javert won three of his five starts over fences, and being so lightly-raced, he should progress again this season. The 10/1 available for him with Bet365 will be very tempting for supporters of Lavelle, who has made a pretty decent start to her season already.

Veteran Success

Former Grade 1 course-and-distance winner - and Old Roan perennial - God’s Own, from the Tom George stable, lines up again this Sunday and is quite well fancied in the betting at 13/2 (William Hill). Placed in last year’s Champion Chase, the 10-year-old should get his favoured ground at Aintree and will be suited by the trip.

Risky Bet?

Deemed as 'frighteningly good' by his trainer Dan Skelton in December 2014, Value At Risk (nb) could well be the forgotten horse in the Old Roan Chase betting on Sunday afternoon.

The nine-year-old has been alternating between hurdles and chases in his last few runs but it appears to be the latter in which he excels, as his season-ending victory at Ayr in April proved. BetVictor make him 10/1 at present, but he could drift on the actual day as the money comes in for the McCain runner. Back Cloudy Dream now, and Value At Risk on Sunday.