Eight runners confirmed for the Cogent LTD John Bigg Oxo Handicap Chase
A total of eight runners are confirmed for the Cogent LTD John Bigg Oxo Handicap Chase at Huntingdon in England on Thursday, February 23, 2012. The winner of the class-4 event will be awarded with a cash prize of £3,054.
Initially, nine entries were attracted towards the Huntingdon chase. However, the participation of El Padrino, trained by Nick Gifford, is doubtful. This means that the list will be shortened to eight runners.
El Padrino would have earned a decent starting price from the bookmakers, as he has a pretty decent record in chase races. He has entered three of them in his career and managed to finish in top three in all.
However, the seven-year-old gelding has never won any race and today could have been his chance. In his absence, the best chances are now with Venetia Williams’ trained gelding, Ballyoliver.
The eight-year-old gelding has one chase victory to his name out of three attempts. Other than that, he managed to finish as runner up once. Considering these performances, the bookmakers have awarded him with a starting price of 7 to 4.
Ballyoliver will be partnered by, Aidan Coleman for today’s race. The seasoned jockey has got a pretty decent record in chase races, as he has won 110 times in such events. He will be aiming to make a solid impression yet again.
The second favourite for today’s race is, Croan Rock, trained by Ian Williams. He has never been victorious in chase races, but does have one second place finish to his name out of two attempts.
The seven-year-old gelding will be ridden by Dougie Costello, a seasoned jockey, who will be looking forward to winning his 78thchase race today.
Pingaro de la Vire, trained by Giles Smyly, has been awarded with a starting price of 11 to 2 for the Huntingdon chase. He has raced 10 times in such events and managed to win a couple of them. Other than that, he also has one third place finish to his name.
The nine-year-old gelding seems to like running at Huntingdon, as his last race victory came at this track. His jockey for today will be, D. Maxwell.
Although Ballyoliver has a very good chance of winning today, he will be given a tough time by Croan Rock and Pingaro de la Vire. The latter will have a better chance of winning, considering his form at Huntingdon.
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