Warwick plays host to a competitive seven-race card on Saturday including the Grade 2 Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase that could provide a few pointers for next months Cheltenham Festival. Our expert editor has analysed Saturday’s contest alongside an exclusive Virgin Bet offer that provides new customers with £20 in free bets.
Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase – Saturday (Warwick 14:05)
This Grade 2 event promises to be an enthralling contest between some of Britains top novice chasers, with a select few holding aspirations of further success at the Cheltenham Festival next month. We’ve taken a closer look at the likely candidates this weekend and provided our verdict on who will come out on top.
Although taking a big step up in grade, BRAVE SEASCA has quickly established himself as a novice chaser to follow after winning three out of his opening four starts over the larger obstacles.
Venetia Williams’ charge was very much in need of his return to action this season having finishing tailed off on chasing debut at Chepstow last November. However, the seven-year-old has wasted little time in cementing himself as a progressive chaser since then, comfortably accounting for rivals at Warwick and Ascot in handicap company before coming home 7l in front of the useful Sky Pirate when completing the hat trick last time out.
Improvement should still be forthcoming from Brave Seasca on his fifth start over fences, however, the seven-year-old must now prove he has what it takes to compete against established Graded performers and that could prove troublesome.
BACK BRAVE SEASCA AND GET £20 IN FREE BETS
After putting in an extraordinary round of efficient jumping at Cheltenham on seasonal return, THIRD TIME LUCKI was quickly slashed in the betting for the Arkle after that opening chasing success.
Dan Skelton’s charge was foot perfect on that occasion and quickly followed up that Class 2 victory with an equally smart performance, coming away from three rivals to land Grade 2 honours at Prestbury Park by 4.75l.
Despite those fluent Cheltenham victories, things didn’t go to plan on his penultimate start for Third Time Lucki where his exuberant nature cost him dearly as he was readily brushed aside after making some notable errors in the closing stages of the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown.
Dan Skelton’s smart novice was bitterly disappointing at Sandown but returned back to winning ways at Doncaster recently back against Grade 2 opponents. The seven-year-old has all the right credentials to be a leading novice in the two-mile division, however, that Sandown effort is still fresh in the memory and his eagerness and head strong nature could cost him once more if not channelled correctly.
BACK THIRD TIME LUCKI AND GET £20 IN FREE BETS
EDWARDSTONE was desperately unlucky not to get off to the perfect start over fences this season, coming down four from home when still travelling ominously well back in November.
The former progressive hurdler, made no mistake second time around when returning to Warwick and putting in a taking display to see off four rivals and justifying odds-on favouritism in the process.
Alan King’s charge has taken his form to new heights in his last two starts and recorded a career-best when landing the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase in front of Third Time Lucki and War Lord when winning by 16l under jockey Tom Cannon, jumping stylishly throughout in the manner of a smart performer.
Although the Grade 2 Wayward Lad over Christmas was only contested by just four rivals, Edwardstone again highlighted his credentials as Britain’s leading two-mile novice when quickening away from his rivals turning for home and winning hard held by 10l.
The eight-year-old is vying for favouritism for this year’s Arkle alongside Willie Mullins’ Blue Lord, and if Alan King’s charge puts in another faultless display this weekend, Edwardstone will be well on course for Arkle glory at the festival next month, in a race that his trainer has one twice in the past.
BACK EDWARDSTONE AND GET £20 IN FREE BETS
BIG RACE VERDICT
It’s hard to look beyond EDWARDSTONE who has looked a natural over the larger obstacles and has yet to demonstrate any noticeable flaws since making the transition from hurdles. Trainer Alan King will be confident of another victory from his star novice before setting sights on Cheltenham’s showpiece meeting next month. Both Third Time Lucki and Brave Seasca have questions to answer in some shape or form and look set to battle it out for second place.
Join Virgin Bet and Claim a Bet £10 – Get £20 Sign-Up Bonus
New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly.