Racecards
13:40 Newbury
Cantorsport.Co.Uk Novices' Chase (Class A) (Registered As The Worcester Novices' Chase ) (Grade 2)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good (Chase: Good to Soft in places)
- Form 14-1211
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
led and set good pace, hit 11th, narrow leader when fell heavy four out
- Form 10/110-1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey A P McCoy
winner, in rear, mistake 9th, steady headway 14th, disputed lead 2 out, led soon after, went right under pressure and ran on
- Form 3-F2303
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Ms F Crowley
- Jockey M Foley
tracked leaders, mistake third, jumped right sixth, lost touch from 12th
- Form 1FP10-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
tracked leaders, tracked leader from 13th, left in lead 4 out, ridden and jumped right 3 out, challenged 2 out, headed soon after, switched left but no extra,
- Form 211133
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
3 distance, tracked leaders, driven 13th, ridden and weakend 4 out
In depth
Verdict
Two of the most promising novice chasers go head to head here, and we think Comply Or Die can just get the better of Cornish Rebel, the best of the remainder should be St Maththew. Martin Pipe's five-year-old is learning this game at a rate of knots and landed his third race of the season at Cheltenham last time. His two market rivals came to grief on that occasion, but his previous victories have been against decent opponents and he remains on target for the Royal And Sun Alliance Chase at the festival. Cornish Rebel has always been expected to make a talented chase and he did everything he was asked when making a winning start to his fencing career at Lingfield. He faces a big step up in class today but should be capable of giving the selection a tough race. St Matthew has won his two chases to date and comes here after creditable efforts in top hurdle events. This versatile performer can once again take a hand in the finish. Distant Thunder and Daniels Hymn complete a fascinating line up, but Comply Or Die has the best overall form and is taken to oblige.