RSA Insurance Novices` Chase Preview - Cheltenham Festival
Published on: 13/03/2019
RSA Insurance Novices` Chase Preview - Cheltenham Festival
March 13, 2018 14:10pm - Cheltenham
Cheltenham Festival
Distance: 3m 80y
Grade: 1
Runners: 12
Winner: £98,472.00 2nd: £37,100.00 3rd: £18,568.00 4th: £9,275.00 5th: £4,655.00 6th: £2,328.00 7th: £1,155.00 8th: £595.00
Going: Soft (Heavy in places)
Delta Work has been earmarked as favourite in the build up the second race of Day Two. The consistent performer should relish this test and has plenty of backers tipping him for big things. Has shown class in three wins over fences since winning the Pertemps Hurdle at the festival last year.
After winning a chase a Down Royal he stepped up to Grade 1 and beat off the likes of Le Richebourg in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse. That form was backed up again in his recent triumph at Leopardstown where he finished 8L clear of mortal.
Another leading candidate in the build up to this is Nicky Henderson`s Grade 1-winning hurdler Santini. Like Delta Work, he impressed on his chase debut before finishing third in the Kauto Star Novices` Chase (Grade 1) last time out. A late injury scare proved a false alarm and he looks in good shape for this. There are plenty who feel he has much more to give than he has previously shown - the question is whether that full potential will be released in this race.
Outside of those two, Topofthegame might be the one to benefit most from the adverse conditions and is attracting plenty of betting interest. Yet to win a chase, but is definitely moving in the right direction. Just priced a little bit short for us to back at this stage.
Here`s a quick look at the past winners, the latest odds and our top tip of the race.
RSA Insurance Novices` Chase Winners - past five years:
2014: O`Faolain`s Boy (7) - Barry Geraghty (Rebeacca Curtis)
2015: Don Poli (6) - Bryan Cooper (Willie Mullins)
2016: Blaklion (7) - Ryan Hatch (Nigel Twiston-Davies)
2017: Might Bite (8) Nico de Boinville (Nicky Henderson)
2018: Presenting Percy (7) D N Russell (P G Kelly)
Latest Betting odds:
Delta Work 11/4
Santini 3/1
Topofthegame 7/2
On the blind side 12/1
Mister Malarky 16/1
Drovers Lane 20/1
Mortal 20/1
25/1 bar
You can back Delta Work to win at 11/4.
By Neil Morris
Published on: 13/03/2019
Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (13/03/2019 09:16:37) but are subject to change.
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