Big Fella Thanks

24-01-2009

I like Big Fella Thanks a lot. I'm sure he would have done us a turn at a decent price at Kempton over Christmas if he hadn't managed to get rid of Christian Williams at the third last. He was just moving up to challenge at the time and, while you don't know how much he would have found, he was the most likely winner at the time on the video. He gets to compete this afternoon off the same mark of 136, the same mark as his hurdles rating, which should prove to be really lenient as it was always as a chaser that he was going to make his mark.

The runner-up in that Kempton race, Laskari, was hiked up 4lb for finishing second. It is almost certain that Big Fella Thanks would have beaten him anyway, and his mark remains the same. He is potentially extremely well handicapped. More than that, however, he is most progressive. That was just his fourth chase at Kempton, he is only seven years old, and he is only just now beginning to get his act together over fences. He has a massive chance of winning this prize this afternoon. Two small worries are the form of the Nicholls horses - a little in and out - and Christian Williams. He is not a bad jockey, but I was hoping that Ruby would be riding this fellow when he next ran. Even so, he is well over-priced in my book at 7/1. Paddy Power's offer of 13/2 guaranteed, and ¼ the odds the first five, is even more attractive.

BIG FELLA THANKS WON (SP 9/2)

24th January, 2009

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