13:50 Newbury

Friday 1 December 2023

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Coral John Francome Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (Formerly Known As The Berkshire) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 58.41s

1^st

Hermes Allen

611-4

13/8f

T: P F NichollsJ: Harry Cobden

Jumped well, tracked clear leader, closed 4 out, led 2 out, clear next, comfortable op 7/4 tchd 15/8

2^nd

6 ½

Nickle Back

711-4

10/3

T: Mrs S J HumphreyJ: James Best

Led and soon clear, reduced lead 4 out, ridden not fluent and headed 2 out, stayed on one pace op 7/2 tchd 3/1

3^rd

Tightenourbelts

611-4

13/2

T: Miss E C LavelleJ: Thomas Bellamy

Tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, ridden and rallied run in, went 3rd close home op 7/1 tchd 6/1

4^th

Marble Sands

711-4

4/1

T: D Killahena & G McPhersonJ: Brendan Powell

Close up, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, kept on same pace and lost 3rd close home op 3/1

5^th

Colonel Mustard

811-4

18/1

T: L FowlerJ: J J Slevin

In touch towards rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off op 12/1 tchd 11/1

Also Ran

No Ordinary Joe

711-4

8/1

T: N J HendersonJ: James Bowen

Not fluent, in rear, struggling 12th, pulled up 3 out op 14/1

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Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£2.63Pl:£1.40, £2.00EX:£7.30Trifecta:£27.50SF:£7.43Swingers:£1.90, £2.70, £3.30

Forecasts

Hermes Allen (13/8), Nickle Back (10/3), Marble Sands (4/1), Tightenourbelts (13/2), No Ordinary Joe (8/1), Colonel Mustard (18/1)

It would be unwise to underestimate MARBLE SANDS, who was some way behind Hermes Allen in the Challow Hurdle here last season but he already looks a better chaser judged on his decisive winning debut in this sphere at Ayr. Hermes Allen was mightily impressive in the Challow and will be a serious threat if he takes to fences at the first attempt, while Nickle Back, like Marble Sands, has already surpassed his hurdles form since switched to fences and he is greatly respected.

MARBLE SANDS (FR)
HERMES ALLEN (FR)
NICKLE BACK (IRE)

Previous Winners

2022

Sebastopol

Weight: 11-9 |Age: 8

J: Stan Sheppard | T: T Lacey

22/1

Prize Money

1st: £28,475.002nd: £10,685.003rd: £5,350.004th: £2,665.005th: £1,340.006th: £670.00