Tanto Faz has shaped with plenty of promise on all three starts over timber and looks to have a fine chance of getting his head in front in the opener at Stratford today (2.00).
The five-year-old has finished on each occasion, but that is down to the calibre of rival he has met rather than his attitude.
He kicked of his campaign with a promising second to My Shamwari at Southwell, and then ran a blinder to run the highly rated Tocca Ferro to half a length at the same track.
The gelding then arguably put up an even better perfromance when chasing home David Pipe's Supreme Novice hope Dan Breen at Doncaster where he had some useful types trailing in his wake.
Today's contest represents a drop in class, and according to the betting he has just Nicky Henderson's Souter Point to beat.
However what I can't understand is why he is not favoruite ahead of Souter. He has achieved more on the track, and the favourite was a dodgy performer on the flat who spat his dummy out when hitting the front.
He did run OK on his hurdling debut, but he does not strike me as the type to relish the jumping game.
At 9-4 I would much rather be on Tanto Faz any day of the week.
Recommended bet; 5pts win Tanto Faz (9-4 Betfred, Victor Chandler, Paddy Power)
