2.10 Newbury
Fuller's London Pride Novices' Chase (Registered As The Berkshire Novices' Chase) (Grade 2) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £14,538
Pick: Celestial Halo (win)
On Borrowed Wings: Improved a lot for switch to this yard over hurdles last season (won twice, second once, and beaten into eighth at Cheltenham Festival); Made a winning chasing debut at Stratford last month and while he did that well, giving 7lbs looks like a tall task.
Celestial Halo: High class hurdler (second and fourth in Champion Hurdles) who is the top rated chasing recruit this season; Looked set to win umped soundly prior to falling 4 out on chase debut at Exeter last month, and while that dents confidence, should have learned a lot from that so rates the one to beat.
Cois Farraig: Performed with credit when second to high class Nicky Henderson pair Lush Life and Oscar Whisky, and jumped well and shaped as if he’d be better for the race when third on chase debut at Ascot last time (decent pair in front); Has it to do ion stronger race but comes here prepared.
Erzen: Talented (Won first 2 starts over hurdles for Nicky Henderson and was second to decent handicappers last season); Attitude proved a major problem though and while he’s still got time to improve, attitude is worry and this deep end for debut.
Sprit River: Developed into a very talented hurdler last season, and showed his class when romping home in Coral Cup at Cheltenham Festival; Very exciting chasing prospect and should go well here if ready on debut.
VERDICT: A small but talented field turning out for a good novice’s chase, which has been won by Denman in 2006. Coral Cup winner Sprit River is a exciting prospect for fences and should do well here, but so is CELESTIAL HALO who should have learned plenty from falling at Exeter first time and will be fitter for it too.
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