bet365 December Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
2m 7f 214y Good to Soft (Good in places)
kept wide, mostly pressed leader, awkward 3rd, hit 8th (water), led 4 out, clear next, easily
mostly jumped well, hit 12th and 14th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner next
held up and always last, often jumped right final circuit, lost touch 13th, plugged on, never any chance
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £1.63 |
| CSF | £2.33 (1, 3) |
| Win | £1.58 (1) |
| Exacta | £2.00 (1, 3) |
| Trifecta | £1.90 (1, 3, 2) |
A disappointing turnout, though at least all three were useful, or, in the case of the winner, a bit better than that. A 103% finishing speed indicates that the pace was on the steady side, but only just, and the time compares reasonably with the handicap which concluded the card.
THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE (c146 here, 149 previously) is one of the best British novice chasers seen so far, though he did not have to improve to win in this higher grade but in another small field, close up but making a few mistakes, leading 4 out and steadily getting on top thereafter, kept up to his work until near the line. He has raced only at around 24f of late but might be OK returned to a testing 20f.
FANTASTIKAS (c136 here and previously) probably ran to the same sort of level as when winning at Lingfield, leading/disputing until 4 out but left behind from there. He is already better as a chaser than a hurdler and there may be more to come.
EMITOM (c135 here, 141 previously) has not yet reached the smart level he once attained as a hurdler, less than fluent and tending to jump right, in touch but just about last throughout despite closing briefly 3 out. His very best form came on softer still.
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Good to Soft | 4 | Hurricane Harvey | 6 | 11 1 | - | 2113-12 | 35 days | F O'Brien (141 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 5/ 2 | 6:19.19 | |
| 2019 | Soft | 3 | Sam Spinner | 7 | 11 1 | - | U428-11 | 43 days | J O'Keeffe (75 miles) | Joe Colliver | 6/ 5 | 6:24.22 | |
| 2018 | Good | 4 | Rocky's Treasure | 7 | 11 1 | - | 5-41112 | 14 days | K Bailey (141 miles) | David Bass | 11/ 8 | 5:53.10 | |
| 2017 | Good | 4 | Keeper Hill | 6 | 11 1 | - | 1176-12 | 26 days | W Greatrex (166 miles) | Gavin Sheehan | 5/ 2 | 6:05.85 | |
| 2016 | Good | 4 | Present Man | 6 | 11 8 | - | 42-21U1 | 22 days | P Nicholls (209 miles) | Jack Sherwood | 5/ 1 | 6:06.40 | |
| 2015 | Heavy | 6 | Southfield Royale | 5 | 11 5 | - | 2201-21 | 42 days | N Mulholland (204 miles) | Wayne Hutchinson | 2/ 1 | 6:19.81 | |
| 2014 | Soft | 4 | Virak | 5 | 11 8 | - | 1164-11 | 22 days | P Nicholls (209 miles) | Nick Scholfield | 6/ 4 | 6:07.86 | |
| 2013 | Soft | 3 | Black Thunder | 6 | 11 8 | - | 5F5-011 | 22 days | P Nicholls (209 miles) | Nick Scholfield | 8/ 11 | 6:30.50 | |
| 2012 | Heavy | 4 | Court In Motion | 7 | 11 1 | - | 123F-32 | 15 days | E Lavelle (184 miles) | Leighton Aspell | EVENS | 6:35.10 | |
| 2009 | Heavy | 3 | Burton Port | 5 | 11 5 | - | 3342-12 | 21 days | N Henderson (167 miles) | A P McCoy | 8/ 13 | 6:36.30 | |
| 2007 | Heavy | 7 | Verasi | 6 | 11 1 | - | 1300-F2 | 8 days | G L Moore (207 miles) | Jamie Moore | 11/ 2 | 6:28.70 | |
| 2004 | Good to Soft | 7 | L'Ami | 5 | 11 7 | - | 42-5912 | 20 days | F Doumen | D Gallagher | 14/ 1 | 6:14.20 | |
| 2003 | Soft | 6 | Lord Sam | 7 | 11 4 | - | 11113-1 | 21 days | V Dartnall (249 miles) | Andrew Thornton | 8/ 13 | 6:44.50 |
