Bagan Heading To Sky Bet Chase

Trainer Charlie Mann today confirmed that Bagan is on course for Saturday's £75,000 Listed Sky Bet Chase, run over three miles at Doncaster, for which the sponsors make him the 10/1 second favourite behind Opera Mundi (5/1). Bagan opened at 12/1 but has been clipped into 10/1 following support in the ante-post market.

A useful performer on the Flat for Henry Cecil and a three-time winner over hurdles, the nine-year-old made the best possible start to his chasing career when getting off the mark on his debut in a beginners chase at Uttoxeter in May. He subsequently won two more chases, most recently when coming home a comfortable four-length winner of the First Great Western Novices' Handicap Chase at Newbury in December.

The Upper Lambourn handler commented: 'Bagan definitely runs in the Sky Bet Chase on Saturday. He's in very good form. I'm very pleased with him and he's got a good weight (10st 7lb). I think he'll be tough to beat.

'He's come out of his last run super. The Sky Bet Chase was always the long-term target and we've been keeping him for this race. I couldn't be more pleased with the horse and I don't have any worries. He's won on soft ground last time so he should handle the ground fine.'

Regarding the news that half a share of Bagan is for sale, Mann added: 'He'd be worth having half a share in and he might just get the money back on Saturday.'

Other horses for money in the ante-post market with Sky Bet include the Alan King-trained Yardbird, an impressive winner at Kempton over Christmas who is into 12/1 (from 14/1) while outsider Our Armageddon, trained by Richard Guest, is now 25/1 (from 33/1).

A total of 48 entries were received for the Sky Bet Chase at the five-day stage, headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Opera Mundi, the 5/1 market leader with Sky Bet.

Other horses on course for Saturday's contest include the Nicky Richards-trained Harmony Brig, successful in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle earlier this season, while French handler Francois Doumen is set to be represented by L'Ami and Kelami.

Latest Sky Bet Prices

Opera Mundi 5/1, Bagan 10/1, An Accordian 12/1, 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, Kelami 22/1, Kerry Lads 22/1, Ma Yahab 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