Betfred Novices' Chase (Registered As The Noel Novices' Chase) (Grade 2) 2m 3f
- (4yo+, 2m 3f, Class 1, 5 runners)
- Winner £16,881 2nd £6,360 3rd £3,183 4th £1,590 5th £798 6th £399 7th £198 8th £102
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
Print| Pos | Horse | Distance/th> | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 Simonsig | 2/9f | |
| 2nd | 5 Sulpius | 49 | 25/1 |
Racecard
| # | Form | Horse | A | Wgt | Trainer | Jockey | OR | Naps | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 003-514 |
|
6 | 158 11-4 t | Dr R D P Newland | T J O'Brien | 140 | 11/2 | |
| 2 | 8P/2 |
|
6 | 154 11-0 | R H Buckler | A Glassonbury | 66/1 | ||
| 3 | 1/9300-2 |
|
8 | 154 11-0 | Miss V Williams | Aidan Coleman | 130 | 8/1 | |
| 4 | 112111- |
|
6 | 154 11-0 | N J Henderson | B J Geraghty | 2/9f | ||
| 5 | 991F11 |
|
7 | 154 11-0 | R H Buckler | J E Moore | 92 | 25/1 |
Race History
| Year | Draw | Horse | A | Wgt | Trainer | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 |
Zaynar (FR)
|
6 | 11-0 | Nick Williams | J Reveley | 7/2 |
In depth
Verdict
Overturn's defection at the overnight stage looks to have presented the classy SIMONSIG with a good opportunity to make a winning start over fences. Only beaten once over hurdles last season and successful at both Cheltenham and Aintree, Nicky Henderson's grey is expected to take high rank among this season's novice chasers as he's already won twice between the flags. Ludlow runner-up Dare Me has scope but Leicester winner Act Of Kalanisi didn't jump very well at Sandown earlier this month, though the longer trip should help. Sulpius was winning for the third time in four starts at Folkestone on Tuesday and looks the pick of Bob Buckler's pair but needs to step up again.
Formwatch
Simonsig 4-9fav (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway after next, went 2nd on bit before 3 out, challenging when left in lead 2 out, clear before last, impressive, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr beating Super Duty (11-4) by 15l, 10 ran.
Sulpius (GER) 5-2fav (12-0) Chased leader, not fluent 4th, carried left 4 out, mistake lost 2nd 3 out and soon outpaced, left modest 5 lengths 2nd at the last, stayed on strongly to lead close home (no time taken), won at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Witch's Hat (11-8) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Act Of Kalanisi (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge 3 out, soon one pace, lost 3rd closing stages, 4th of 5, 9l behind Captain Conan (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft.
Dare Me (IRE) 13-8 (11-2) Tracked leaders, bumped 1st, not fluent next, went 2nd 7th, hit 12th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, mistake last, stayed on same pace and held flat, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Carrigmorna King (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Ashbourne Folly (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, slow 2nd, led after 7th, headed approaching 10th, soon weakened, left in remote 2nd 3 out, 2nd of 3, 40l behind Chartreux (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) hvy.