RSA Chase (Grade 1 Novices' Chase) - Cheltenham Day 2

RSA Chase (Grade 1 Novices’ Chase) – Cheltenham Day 2

14.10 RSA Chase (Grade 1 Novices’ Chase, Class 1, 5yo+: 3m 80y)

A staying novice chase that promotes as a subsequent years Gold Cup trial with notables who went on to success in Denman, Bobs Worth & Lord Windermere.

At over three miles in length, it is not an easy step up in trip for novices coming to the end of their first years chasing.

Let’s check the stats and trends for this one….

Irish trained winners have prevailed in five of the last seven years.
Last 18 winners finished in the first three LTO
Last 5 winners last ran in a Grade 1 or Grade 2 Novice Chase
Older horses have a poor record (9+)
Ages 5 to 7 have won 16 of the last 18 races
last 5 winners had run LTO at either Ascot or Leopardstown

Preview……..

No More Heroes and More Of That head the market at around 5/2. It’s the former we would take in the win market having been an unlucky loser in the Albert Bartlett here last year.

He has won comfortably on each of his 3 starts over fences this season with some superb jumping, culminating in his defeat of highly regarded Rule The World and Monksland at Leopardstown.

It is difficult to find fault with him and as we said earlier, possibly should have won the Albert Bartlet last term?

Voted for by yourselves, Blaklion may find a field size of this to large to dominate with his prominent style and another that could be said about is Seeyouatmidnight who will also want to bowl along in front.

Suggested bets….

Nicky Henderson’s VYTA DU ROC ran Thistlecrack a decent effort over the short stuff at Aintree in the Sefton last term. LTO he won the Reynoldstown at Ascot and also ranked a little unlucky here last year when falling at the final flight in the Neptune. He gets our each-way value vote at around 11’s.

VYTA DU ROC 1.5pt EW @ 11/1 with Bet365 in the RSA Chase