RSA Insurance Novices' Chase

Run over three miles, this Novice chase is open to horses aged five and older, and attracts a very modest sized field this year, as just ten will go to post. 

Trends

- 15 of the last 16 winners had raced over fences at least three times before.

- The last 13 winners had all placed in Grade 1 or Grade 2 chases previously.

- 24 of the last 28 winners had finished 1st or 2nd on their last run before the Festival.

- 20 of the last 23 winners were racing as Novices Hurdlers in the previous season.

- Seven-year-olds have won eight of the last 10 renewals.

- Irish bred horses have won 18 of the last 21

- Five of the last eight winners ran in the Albert Bartlett the previous season

Our Picks

We'll make no apologies for siding with the favourite here, as Presenting Percy looks backable at the 5/2 widely available given how well he stays, and his solid record of four wins from five starts on heavy ground is a great omen. We'd expect to see a professional ride here with him kept well clear of the pace setters who could run out of puff over the final few furlongs, and that should work out perfectly for him. 

If thats the winner, then the next question would be what lurks behind, and with Monalee hardly destroying Al Boum Photo or Dounikos there is a valid question to ask about why the latter of the three if more than twice the price. He's gone well on heavy ground in the past, winning two of this three starts, while at tsimile price Black Corton could be interesting, with the best form of all over this sort of trip, but a big doubt given he's never gone on heavy ground before. That's probably in the price mind you. 

1pt Presenting Percy to win at 11/4 (Boylesports)

1pt Dounikos to win w/o Presenting Percyat 11/2 (Skybet)

#HorseRacing