Sam Brown Sets Sights on Denman Chase for Another Lucrative Win

Valiant veteran Sam Brown is set to compete as the underdog at Newbury, but his recent good form has trainer Anthony Honeyball backing him to surpass expectations in the Betfair Denman Chase. 

Sam Brown, a 12-year-old racehorse, impressed with a valuable victory in the Veterans' Chase Series Final at Warwick. Despite facing tougher competition in this race, Honeyball believes that Sam Brown's experience and adaptability make him a contender. With only five runners and favourable ground conditions, Honeyball sees an opportunity for Sam Brown to shine. Although Shishkin is the favourite, his recent issues and Protektorat's challenging race create room for Sam Brown to secure a decent position. 

Honeyball hopes for a strong performance and hopes to secure good prize money or even surpass expectations with a dream result. Given Sam Brown's age, this race may be one of his last chances to compete at this level, but his suitability to the ground and current form make it a worthwhile endeavour. Honeyball acknowledges Shishkin's superiority on paper but believes that Sam Brown has a good chance of securing a place in the race alongside other contenders. Sam Brown's participation in this Grade Two contest over nearly three miles aims to bolster his chances in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

After showcasing his stamina over an extended three miles at Aintree last spring, Sam Brown's campaign this season has focused on longer distances. Despite a rocky start with a refusal to start at Ascot, Sam Brown demonstrated his exceptional ability in the King George VI Chase at Kempton. While he unseated the jockey near the finish line, his connections remain hopeful for a triumphant return at Berkshire this weekend.

As for the other races, the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase features a competitive field of six runners, with Edwardstone and Boothill leading the market. Funambule Sivola, the winner of the last two renewals, has been underwhelming this season, while Editeur Du Gite will don cheekpieces for the first time. Amarillo Sky and Calico complete the lineup. In the £155,000 Betfair Hurdle, ante-post favourite Ocastle Des Mottes heads a field of 24 runners, including horses from Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson, Harry Fry, and other prominent trainers.