Betfair Novices' Chase (Registered As The Scilly Isles Novices' Chase) 2011

2.55 Newbury

Betfair Novices' Chase (Registered As The Scilly Isles Novices' Chase) (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)
Winner £14,238

Advice: 2 pts win For Non Stop (10/3 Ladbrokes), 1 pt each/way Mossley (7/1 Stan James) 


For Non Stop: Progressive over hurdles, winning easily at Chepstow before running into Grands Crus and then falling when set for second in the Coral Cup; Fell when going well at Cheltenham on chasing debut and used useful spin at Ascot in Grade 2 to push Al Ferof all the way in Henry VII Novice Chase at Sandown (that form rock solid); Jumped badly when well beaten by Cue Card here in December but still holds a good chance based on that form and tough to beat.


Lancetto: Held his head high in handicap company since Grade 1 third to Al Ferof at Sandown, coming a creditable fourth at Doncaster last time out; Could be better at today’s trip but there are a few better options.



Michael Flips: Taken fairly well to fences, winning nicely on his second start over fences at Ascot before bigger and better company got to him; Took advantage of good handicap mark to win at Taunton last time out but this much harder.


Mossley: Excellent start to hurdling career when winning novice hurdle at Huntingdon on the bridle before landing Grade 2 here (Join Together behind), and even better when second behind Bobs Worth in staying novice hurdle at Festival (forget Aintree run); Scratchy chase debut (on and off bridle for long periods before winning easily) was followed by poor round of jumping when second to RSA Chase hope Join Together at Cheltenham when last seen (finished distressed); Drop in trip is rather dubious but won over this trip before and interesting for stable in great form.

Our Mick: Proven extremely progressive since stepping up in trip, romping home at Kempton in December before then grinding out win (impressively) in heavy ground at Haydock (beat a previous winner); Should run well again.

Picture This: Won a match on his first run for two years against massively inferior rival; Had previously been really progressive in handicap hurdles over 3m+ (not run over this trip since 2009) and in any case, this a far tougher assignment. - NON RUNNER.


Walkon: Top class juvenile hurdler in excellent crop before injury intervened, and disappointed after excellent comeback over hurdles last season; Right back to best when romping to chase win here on debut, with 6 lengths to spare over Zanyar (easy Grade 2 winner) and Grade 1 runner up Notus De La Tour; Flopped at Newbury latest although step up in trip expected to help and 7lbs better off with For Non Stop; Should go well here.


Credre Bleu: Promising start with clear cut, if not impressive win on UK debut at Juvenile before finding Spirit Son 21 lengths too good on this card a year ago; Off since but made some electric leaps over his fences on chasing debut and then battled on well to get better of errant runner up; Respected here as he should be all the better for that.


Pacha Du Polder: Only won once in France, but that a deeply impressive 9 length win which saw him sent to Paul Nicholls this season; Won on debut over fences, largely solid in the main before being driven out fully to beat useful Eradicate on chasing debut at Sandown, having raced exuberantly beforehand; Dissapointed at Ascot before easy win last time out.

VERDICT: A really interesting race. FOR NON STOP was a bit disappointing when flattered to finish second to Cue Card on his last start but he’s better than that and still sets a high standard, with the well beaten Walkon 7lbs better off today. Cedre Bleu and Our Mick are two useful prospects but MOSSLEY is also of interest, particularly if jumping better than he has done in his two starts over fences.