PADDY POWER CHASE:IT MIGHT seem odd to bank on a horse that has never won over fences in what is traditionally one of the most fiercely-fought handicap prizes of the season but Venalmar could represent more than a touch of value in this afternoon's Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown.
Venalmar is one of 28 due to line up for the three-mile contest where Becauseicouldntsee is sure to be a major popular fancy in what will be his first handicap start.
The Noel Glynn-trained stayer only just missed out on a memorable Cheltenham pot last March when edged by Poker De Sivola in the four-mile National Hunt Chase so stamina will certainly not be an issue for Becauseicouldntsee.
He put in a perfectly satisfactory warm-up for today’s prize over hurdles at Thurles and a habit of jumping to his left shouldn’t be an issue on this track. Certainly Glynn’s decision to focus on this race rather than the Welsh National, which has had to be postponed to 2011, looks to put the Co Clare-based trainer already ahead of the game.
However, Becauseicouldntsee is not the only horse having his first taste of handicap company as Mouse Morris pitches Venalmar into experienced company too and at ante-post prices he could represent each way value.
Racing in the colours of property developer Michael O’Flynn, Venalmar was not originally anticipated to be running in races like this after only just missing out on a Cheltenham victory behind Fiveforthree in 2008.
Morris viewed him as a future Gold Cup contender at that stage but injury intervened and the eight-year-old had to spend time on the sidelines.
Viewed against original expectations his five chase starts since have hardly set the world on fire but it would be wrong to dismiss them completely too.
Finishing only five lengths off Jessies Dream at Galway in October doesn’t look bad form now that that horse has won a Grade One while Venalmar’s last start can be ignored as he lost a shoe and was pulled up lame three fences from home at Fairyhouse.
Morris has a fine record in the Paddy Power, including when Keepatem landed a major gamble in 2004, and it is significant that he is pitching his classy type into the race at all.
Dermot Weld has decided to allow Majestic Concorde take his chance with joint top-weight while on his best form, the former Grade One-winning hurdler, Catch Me, would be no back number off 11st 6lb.
World Wide Web was a cross-channel-based winner in 2003 and this time Skippers Brig is joined by Stormin Exit while the Troytown runner-up Glenquest looks to have very solid claims.
However, this is a race that can be won by a horse on the up lurking down the handicap and remarkably, considering his Cheltenham pedigree of a couple of years ago, Venalmar could just fit such a profile this time.
