Mocalacato Has Can Surprise His Elders on the Firm Ground at Auteuil
3.22 Auteuil
Storm Of Saintly would have been a warm favourite for this 2m5f chase, but his defection now leaves this race wide open, on ground many of these runners will not have encountered.
The firm ground will be an unknown factor for many of these, but it may suit the flat-bred Mocalacato Has better than some. The son of the dual purpose sire Poliglote, whose most famous off-spring Solemia beat Orfevre in the 2012 Arc De Triomphe faces older foes for the first time as a 5-year-old.
He spent the majority of his 3 and 4 year old campaign chasing home Device, though he does have a verdict over him on his hurdles debut. Device made his debut last week in open age company and was too good for several established French stars, including Blue Dragon and Solway.
On the handicap ratings Macalacato Has just comes out on top, but carries just 66kg (10-6) being a 5-year-old in this listed chase. The favourite looks like being Forthing who has to concede 4 kilos to Macalacato Has, but his best performances have come in races at 2m7f+ and was a winner over 3m2f in very soft ground last time out.
A familiar name to British punters is Vezelay, who has made trips over to Haydock and Cheltenham in recent months, the trip looks ideal for him, and if handling the ground he shouldn’t be too far away.
In a wide open race with many uncertainties over the market leaders Macalacato Has at 8/1 with Paddy Power and Betfair looks a price worth chancing.
