Close Brothers Novices` Handicap Chase Preview - Cheltenham Festival

Published on: 14/03/2017

Close Brothers Novices` Handicap Chase Preview - Cheltenham Festival

March 14, 2016 17:30pm - Cheltenham

Cheltenham Festival

Distance: 2m 4f 78y

Grade: Listed (Class 1)

Purse: £70,000

Winner: £39,865

Going: Good to Soft

The Close Brothers Novices` Handicap Chase is a race for five-year-olds and older with a rating up to 140 and promises to be a wide open contest.

Foxtail Hill will start as favourite having started 2017 in blistering form with two good wins over 20f including a win here at Cheltenham in January.

Zamdy Man also has good form but offers much greater value than the favourite. Despite carrying top weight, the Venetia Williams-trained gelding is only carrying 5lb more than the bottom-weight entry. At prices of 20/1 or better, he looks like a great each way shout.

The Dan Skelton-trained Two Taffs was available at 16/1 just a couple of days ago but has since shortened to 9/1 making the bet less tempting. The gelding is strong and stays well and has shown plenty of promise despite his lack of victories since making the switch to chasing.

Another horse that has switched to chasing with even more impressive results is Double Ws. The Malcolm Jefferson-trained chestnut gelding has won two of his four starts over fences including a comfortable win on his debut at Carlisle back in October. He jumps and stays well and came in second to French horse Upsilon Bleu last time out. What`s more, the distance and going should suit him.

Betting odds and tips

At a price of 14/1 or better, Double W`s would be worth taking each way. Likewise, Zamdy Man looks great each way value at 25/1.

You can back Double W`s each way at 14/1 with Bet365, while Zamdy Man can be backed each way at 25/1.

Remember, Bet365 are offering guaranteed best odds on all Cheltenham races and a 100% deposit bonus up to £200 for new accounts.

Close Brothers Novices` Handicap Chase winners - Last three years:

2014: Present View (6) - Brendan Powell (Jamie Snowden)

2015: Irish Cavalier (6) - Paul Townend (Rebecca Curtis)

2016: Ballyalton (9) - Brian Hughes (Ian Williams)

By Neil Morris

Published on: 14/03/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (14/03/2017 14:22:09) but are subject to change.