The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase

Distance - 2m 4f 78yds

A Novices' Chase over 2m 4f's that has been dominated by 6 year olds in the last three years however 7 year olds have won the race on 6 occasions in the last 13 years.

The bottom weight in last years race at 11-4, that has been a recent trend causing this race to be classed a compressed handicap.

Only one favourite has won in the last 9 years.

ALOOMOMO

Warren Greatrex has yet to decide what to do with a few of his horses and that greatly effects this horse. Greatrex has said that Out Sam is likely to go for the Ultima Business Handicap which surely means that Aloomomo shows up here. If that's the case then Aloomomo would have a great chance of at least grabbing a place.

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KILLER CROW

Killer Crow has a rating of 136 and Gordon Elliot has said that this horse has a good each way chance in a race that looks made for him. Definite each way claims.

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BALLYALTON

I've had this horse bookmarked for a long time, even before his superb effort behind Faugheen at Cheltenham in 2014. Ian Williams has made it clear as day that this horse is going to be a great chaser but the problem is Ballyalton hates soft ground. On good ground, maybe even good to soft Ballyalton would have a great chance if his jumping held up but if the ground was soft for all four days at the Festival then I'm not even sure Ian Williams would run him. He's won five times before and all have been left handed but he's never won on ground softer than good to soft. I'm certain that there is a big race in him somewhere but our hopes lie with the going forecast.

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Cheltenham Channel 4 ofer Bet365