Guest Hoping For Big Run From Armageddon In Sky Bet Chase

Richard Guest is looking forward to a good performance from Our Armageddon in the £75,000 Listed Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster (3.00pm) on Saturday.

The Nottinghamshire-based handler, who triumphed in the three-mile Sky Bet Chase in 2004 with Tyneandthyneagain, has had the race in mind for his 11-year-old gelding for some time and was pleased with his recent reappearance in a handicap chase at Wincanton on January 5, after an absence of nearly two years.

Guest said: 'The Sky Bet Chase has been the aim for Our Armageddon for a long time. He bowled along for half of the race under a big weight at Wincanton recently before he blew up. That race has did him the world of good and he came back bouncing. We have galloped him round Southwell since and he seems absolutely spot on.

'We've laid him out for Doncaster, and being pulled up last time could have actually improved his chances for Saturday, as he's had a good blow and he didn't get bottomed. He won't mind really soft ground, but the recent drying weather will suit him as well.'

Prior to his Wincanton appearance, Our Armageddon, currently a 25/1 shot with sponsor Sky Bet after support earlier in the week, was a game winner of the Singer & Friedlander Chase over an extended two miles & six furlongs at Uttoxeter in testing conditions on February 18, 2006.

The 11-year-old gelding, set to carry 10st 5lb in the Sky Bet Chase, enjoyed his finest hour at the Cheltenham Festival in 2004, when he won the Grade Two Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase over two miles and five furlongs.

Trainer Keith Reveley, whose mother won the Sky Bet Chase twice with Dalkey Sound in 1991 and Carbisdale in 1994, hopes to be double-handed in Saturday's big race. The Cleveland-based handler is looking forward to running Borders Scottish National winner Rambling Minster and is anticipating a bold show from Ungaro, who is set to make his debut in handicap company in the Sky Bet Chase.

Reveley said: 'Hopefully both Rambling Minster and Ungaro will line up in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster on Saturday. Rambling Minster wouldn´t want the ground to be too heavy, but the recent sunshine and wind should help conditions.

'He´s very flexible concerning distances, having won the Scottish Borders National at Kelso over four miles and then running well in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock over a mile less. He pitched on landing there at the third last when he was coming with a nice run, but he still ran well to finish fourth in a good race. He´s in good form and has done nothing wrong all year.'

While Rambling Minster, set to carry 11st 3lb on Saturday, comes into the Sky Bet Chase on the back of two gallant displays in staying chases, Reveley hopes that Ungaro (11st 5lb) will return to winning ways on his first start over fences in handicap company.

Reveley continued: 'Running in a handicap should suit Ungaro. He´s run at the highest level more or less for the last two years, having taken part in a Grade One Novice Hurdle at Aintree and the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham.

'He´s slipped to nice chase mark, around the low 140s, and he wants a strongly run three miles which is hopefully what he´ll get on Saturday.'

Both horses are currently rated as 14/1 chances with Sky Bet for Saturday's big race. Top weight Opera Mundi, who like Ungaro is owned by Sir Robert Ogden, is their 5/1 market leader.

Other likely runners for Saturday include the Charlie Mann-trained Bagan, currently 8/1 second favourite with Skybet, Rehearsal Chase winner Harmony Brig (20/1), and French raiders L'Ami (20/1) and Kelami (22/1).

Latest Sky Bet Prices

Opera Mundi 5/1, Bagan 8/1, An Accordian 10/1, Yardbird 12/1, Alderburn 14/1, New Little Bric 14/1, Rambling Minster 14/1, Standin Obligation 14/1, Ungaro 14/1, Brooklyn Brownie 16/1, Dream Alliance 16/1, Model Son 16/1, Maljimar 18/1, Butler´s Cabin 20/1, Caipiroska 20/1, Dusky Warbler 20/1, Harmony Brig 20/1, Idle Talk 20/1, Jaunty Times 20/1, Juveigneur 20/1, L´Ami 20/1, Limited Edition 20/1, Aztec Warrior 20/1, Bob Hall 20/1, Ma Yahab 20/1, Kelami 22/1, Kerry Lads 22/1, Ardaghey 22/1, Burntoakboy 25/1, Captain Corelli 25/1, Henry´s Pride 25/1, Lidjo De Rouge 25/1, Our Armageddon 25/1, Royal Rosa 25/1, Thistlecraft 25/1, Aleron 28/1, Herecomestanley 28/1, Mister McGoldrick 28/1, Hard Act To Follow 33/1, Alright Now M´Lad 33/1, Himalayan Trail 33/1, The Reverend 33/1, Brooklyn Breeze 33/1, Lampion Du Bost 40/1, Undeniable 40/1, Korelo 66/1, Red Scally 66/1, Arumun 100/1

Each-Way: 1/4 the odds 1, 2, 3, 4