Tweet
Wonder if Simonsig will show up ?
Paul Nicholls has owned this race during the last decade
Paul Nicholls has owned this race during the last decade
-
-
as a trial...
Two years ago the Pendil Novices’ Chase winner, Captain Chris, became the first winner of that Grade 2 event to follow up at the Festival since Brief Gale in 1995 when he took the Arkle Trophy three weeks later. The Pendil takes place over an extended 2m4f so can be an Arkle or RSA Chase trial and, when Brief Gale won the RSA after her Pendil success, she was emulating Monsieur Le Cure 12 months earlier who also completed the Pendil-RSA double. Up until Captain Chris two years ago, however, this Grade 2 novice chase had gone cold as a guide to Cheltenham though the 2010 runner-up, Othermix, only found Copper Bleu too good in what is now the Pulteney Investments Novices’ Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Festival. -
bazza
I’m on a very lively chance in the Grade 2 Pendil Novices' Chase, MOLOTOF (2.40). He’s one that I haven’t ridden in public since we won a grade two novice hurdle at Ascot in December 2011 beating one of his opponents here, Peckhamecho.
But I’ve been keeping an eye on him and gave him pop around the indoor school on Thursday morning and he seemed in very good order - felt well.
This is plenty competitive enough with the likes of Grandioso and Nicky’s other runner, Tour D’Argent in the field but I see no reason why this track and a bit of decent ground shouldn’t bring out the best in this horse.Comment
-
Catching pigeons
The Paul Nicholls-trained Grandioso can improve on a better surface in the Racingplus.co.uk Pendil Novices' Chase, but will struggle to beat Henderson's Molotof.
Connections had been hoping to go down the handicap route with him at the Festival next month, but a 9lb rise for his latest success put paid to that.
However judged on what he is doing at home, if anything he has improved again for that latest win and moving back to quicker ground is definitely expected to be in his favour.Comment
Comment