Horse racing / Timeform / 10 March 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

The betting is open for the first big chase of the meeting, so what do Timeform make of the leading contenders?

Narrowly to the head of the betting is Tatenen, who failed to deliver on the excellent impression created on his first two starts over fences when turned over at odds-on in Ireland over Christmas.

Having been unable to dominate in his customary fashion, he did give best only narrowly to a smart rival in Follow The Plan and he remains a leading contender for a prize such as this. The suspicion is that he'll prove best suited by two-and-a-half miles in time though and he may need testing going to run rivals of this calibre ragged.

Despite winning only two of his 11 career starts, Calgary Bay has long since shaped as though the test that the Arkle provides will suit him ideally. He lost nothing in defeat dropped back in trip at Ascot last time, conceding weight to the winner, Panjo Bere, and he again impressed with his jumping and the way he travelled. He's regarded as likely to be more effective returning left-handed and, clearly going the right way, deserves his place near the head of the market.

I'msingingtheblues sits atop Timeform's rankings, following his handicap win from an official mark of 147 at Doncaster in late-January. Likeable though he is, our suspicion is that one of those below him on bare ratings could well improve past him, as he's a rare novice who's had the opportunity to return a rating from such a relatively lofty handicap mark. There's also the theory that he may be best served by a flat track.

Planet of Sound could be an interesting contender, as he has been impressive in winning a couple of novice events at Newbury. Phillip Hobbs' 7-y-o has quickly developed into a much better chaser than hurdler, largely because of his fluent jumping, which will stand him in good stead around Cheltenham.

Original put himself in the picture when causing a huge upset in the Wayward Lad at Kempton over Christmas and is likely to bid to become the first French-trained winner, but whether he can reproduce that remains to be seen, and a bigger field at a track that takes more jumping is a different test. Although some way behind on bare chasing form, Kalahari King is another who could well step up a level given the variables of Cheltenham are likely to suit him well.