Pendil Novices Chase betting and odds preview

Events / Editor / 20 October 2007 / Leave a Comment

Named after one of the star chasers of the 1970's, the Grade 2 Pendil Novices Chase, run over two-and-a-half miles at Kempton's early-February meeting, is a popular betting heat that tests the pretensions of aspiring novice chasers as they aim for a place in one of the Cheltenham Festival novice events.

The race can have an effect on the ante-post odds betting lists for both the Arkle Chase and the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase, but it has failed to throw up any significant winners of either of these events since the likes of Remittance Man in 1991 and Monsieur Le Cure in 1994.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has sent out the last two winners of the race, both being the subject of serious betting interest at backable odds (2/1 & 5/2) and his runners in this year's renewal are well worth considering a bet, regardless of the odds on offer.

Nicky Henderson however, seems to target this race religiously every year and has won it on no less than five occasions, most recently with the smart Calling Brave (who headed the betting at odds of evens) in 2004.