The Charlie Hall Chase is the pre-eminent staying chase in the early stages of the British jumps season. A field of six is set to convene this season and Joe Napier previews an intriguing contest, giving his verdict.
Favourites
Now a ten-year-old, Protektorat has claimed three Grade 1s over his career for Dan Skelton. Despite having previously won a Betfair Chase and finished third in a Gold Cup, he was campaigned exclusively at 2m4f last season. There are no doubts about his stamina from the past, though there are some fears about his form when fresh over the past two seasons, as he has been well below his best. He would ideally prefer a touch of rain too.
Good ground does favour the sole Irish contender in Hewick. The former King George hero has had a run to get fit over hurdles at Thurles and remained at a high level last season, if slightly below his best. With conditions to suit in terms of weight penalties for him and Protektorat, both of whom receive 6lb from their main dangers, he should be bang there, although his form left-handed, with the exception of the American Grand National, is decidedly worse than his right-handed efforts.
Contenders
Another multiple Grade 1 winner, Pic D’orhy is stepping beyond 3m for the first time this weekend. Now a ten-year-old, he has been unbothered by 2m5f in the past, easily scoring in the Ascot Chase back in February and a line can be drawn through his poor effort at Aintree after making a bad jumping error. He is liable to throwing in a jumping howler, but he should go well first time out.
Djelo was a revelation on his first 3m run, winning the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury, form which has worked out decently. A shadow of himself on his last two runs of 2024/25 though, he has a bit to prove on his return with him being one of the first Venetia Williams horses to return for this campaign, and soft ground would be preferable.
Outsiders
Last year’s winner The Real Whacker should not be underestimated in his quest to go back-to-back. After winning this race 12 months ago, Patrick Neville’s charge was a gallant fourth in the King George and ran respectably in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree too. He will have needed his return over hurdles to strip fitter for this and he can make a bold bid once again.
Ga Law is the last of the sextet for Jamie Snowden. He had appeared to lose his way after finishing second in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last November, but there had always been “soft” in the going description up until he ran a cracker in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown when third to Gaelic Warrior. Even more will be needed here upped to beyond 3m, though he goes well fresh and on good going.
Verdict
Protektorat and Hewick are both favoured by the conditions of this race, with the former edging it between the pair, but his record fresh raises a few doubts, while the latter’s form going left-handed is a big question mark over his name. Although he carries the 6lb penalty, PIC D’ORHY may take advantage on his first start over 3m, as he is well worth a go at this trip at this stage of his career; his best performances over 2m5f have been of a high quality. Djelo will be a threat if ready to rumble first time out, but a bigger danger can come from The Real Whacker, last year’s winner, who has had a run to get fit and can make another bold bid for glory.
- Pic D’orhy
- Protektorat
- The Real Whacker
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