Sat Pricewise

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Rose has conditions to spring a 10-1 surprise

If there is one trainer I have never been able to get a handle on it is Venetia Williams.

Her horses don’t fit the usual stereotypes and as a result it is extremely difficult to pinpoint when they are going to run well.

Having said that, if there are any patterns it is that many of her string are perfectly at home in testing conditions and this is her time of year.

She is in cracking form, so it could be worth backing her mare Pepite Rose at 10-1 for the williamhill.com Chase (2.10) at Kempton.

The seven-year-old has her ideal conditions and is receiving a lot of weight from the classy types like Captain Chris and Champion Court.

This is a step up in class for Pepite Rose, but on her day she is seriously talented, as she showed when splitting Cedre Blue and Cloudy Too at Wetherby last season.

That is rock-solid form, and Pepite Rose was right back to that level at the same track over 2m last time.

On either of those runs she doesn’t have too much to find with the big guns at these weights and, on this ground and with her stable in such top form, she can spring a minor surprise.

Williams’ Emperor’s Choice was tempting in the Betfred Classic Chase (3.35) at Warwick as he is really well handicapped on his defeat of Big Occasion on heavy ground last season.

However, he has not been in the same form this term and was a bitter disappointment at Haydock last time.

The lightly weighted Royale Knight and Noble Legend, who might improve a ton for the marathon trip, look the ones to be on.

Royale Knight comes from a stable whose staying chasers have been in tremendous form this season and he couldn’t have won more easily at Kelso last time. That was not a great race, but Royale Knight skipped through it and hacked up.

That was his first attempt at a marathon trip and provided he handles what is sure to be very testing ground, he looks sure to play a big part.

Noble Legend has his stamina to prove, but he runs like an out-and-out stayer and was right back to his best last time when never stronger than at the finish at Wetherby, admittedly over a mile shorter than he tackles today.

It could be that he hasn’t been allowed to run over his correct trip yet and, if that is the case, he could improve again.

Caroline Bailey’s horses have really turned the corner and this track is going to suit Noble Legend as he jumps and travels so well.

Saphir Du Rheu is the one to be on in the William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle (2.40) back at Kempton.

He was hugely impressive at Sandown last month, when he could have won by 20 lengths given another half-furlong, and he has the potential to go to the top.

He has had only seven runs in his life and reminds me of stablemate Ptit Zig, who won a Grade 1 at Auteuil, was runner-up in the Ladbroke last month and is now being aimed at a possible Champion Hurdle challenge.

Of course, his 15lb rise makes life tougher, but Harry Derham reduces the burden by 5lb and Saphir Du Rheu could be a Grade 1 horse running in a handicap.

Don’t miss Thursday’s Racing Post for Pricewise’s ante-post advice on the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury

Today's bets


Pepite Rose
2.10 Kempton
1pt win at 10-1 with Coral (9-1 with Ladbrokes)


Saphir Du Rheu
2.40 Kempton
1pt win at 6-1 generally


Noble Legend
3.35 Warwick
1pt win at 14-1 generally


1pt win at 16-1 with Coral (14-1 with Boylesports)