The Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase (Saturday 23 February 2019) is run over 3 miles and 1 furlong at Fairyhouse. It is regarded as a trial for the Grand National and falls ideally in the calendar after the weights for the Aintree spectacular have been framed.
The 2005 winner Hedgehunter was the last horse to win this and win the Grand National in the same year, but Pleasant Company was second at Aintree last year after winning the 2017 Bobbyjo Chase.
Bobbyjo Chase 10-Year-Trends
- Winners have been aged eight, nine, 10, or 11
- Winners have been rated between 143 and 156
- Weights of between 11-0 and 11-10 have been carried to victory
- Five of the last 10 favourites have won
- SP’s have ranged from 8/13 to 5/1
- Willie Mullins has trained six of the last eight winners
- Gordon Elliott has trained two of the last six winners
- Ruby Walsh has ridden four of the last seven winners
Bobbyjo Chase 2019 Main Contenders
Presenting Percy
Presenting Percy is favourite with most bookies for this race but his participation is reportedly only 50-50 and connections may decide to send him straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. If he does run, he will probably be an odds-on chance, as he’s well clear of his rivals on ratings and is two wins from two runs at Fairyhouse. If you back him at this early stage, you do it knowing he may not run, but his current odds are tempting.
Alpha Des Obeaux
The horse the bookies think is most likely to win if Presenting Percy sidesteps the race but he offers nowhere near as compelling a case for backing him. He has to concede weight to plenty of useful horses and has been placed just once in three runs at Fairyhouse.
Rathvinden
Winner of the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year after which he was a respectable fourth in a Grade 1 novice chase at the Punchestown Festival over three miles. Trained by Willie Mullins, he reportedly has the Grand National as his main aim this season, but he could easily run a sound race here on his seasonal debut having been a decent second to Death Duty on his only previous run at Fairyhouse.
Magic Of Light
Has run some excellent races this season, including two wins over similar trips. Disappointed slightly last time over shorter in England but has to be of interest here as she is race-fit and is getting weight from all her rivals.
Bobbyjo Chase 2019 Betting Tip
This looks to be a race that revolves around Presenting Percy as, if he runs, he will be a short-price and should win, but the market suggests he won’t. If he doesn’t run, Alpha Des Obeaux and Rathvinden have obvious chances, with the Willie Mullins-trained Rathvinden feared most. However, it could be worth taking a chance on Magic Of Light, who wouldn’t be getting anywhere near as much weight from those two rivals if this was a handicap.
Bobbyjo Chase 2019 Tips
Magic Of Light