Paul Nicholls: New Cheltenham chase is a fine idea

Ante-Post Plans / Paul Nicholls / 28 January 2011 / 5

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Another big chase for the Festival gets Paul's endorsment

"There are plenty of chasers who are not ideally suited by 2m or 3m2f, and not too many think the Ryanair is a bad idea these days, do they? Certainly, not owners and trainers."

Our star columnist is delighted by the introduction of a 2m4f chase at Cheltenham and names his five entries for the race - the Golden Miller Novice Chase

Some bookmakers have been mentioning this season about the introduction about a 2m4f novices' chase at the Cheltenham Festival hitting turnover on their Arkle and Sun Alliance ante-post markets.

Well, I think it a great idea and believe that there should possibly be a Championship Hurdle race over 2m4f at Cheltenham, too.

There is a 2m4f Grade 1 Hurdle at Aintree and I think we are maybe missing a trick by not having a race over this trip at the Festival; there are plenty of horses who fall between the 2m and 3m stools over hurdles. Possibly the likes of my Celestial Halo and Silviniaco Conti, and perhaps Oscar Whisky and Solwhit, this season.

Just as there are plenty of chasers who are not ideally suited by 2m or 3m2f, and not too many think the Ryanair is a bad idea these days, do they? Certainly, not owners and trainers.

Anyway, the novice chase entries for the Festival were out yesterday and here are my brief thoughts at this stage on my possible runners.

Arkle (three entries): I have Robinson Collonges, Pepe Simo and Ghizao in here. I have Robinson in all three races and tomorrow will tell us more about his Festival destination, as will Pepe Simo's run at Doncaster. Ghizao is clearly my number one hope and he goes straight for the race.

NH Chase (three entries): Picture This may have a run in a small novice chase for more experience before Cheltenham. He would like good ground, whereas Watamu Bay would like it heavy. Watamu Bay will probably go straight there, as I was thinking about running him in the Eider before I saw the prize money on offer. Promising Anshan is in the race after his decent second on Saturday.

RSA Chase (five entries): Robinson is in here, as is Rebel Du Maquis who probably is more likely to run in the new 2m4f race if he goes to Cheltenham. Aiteen Thirtythree heads for Newbury on Aon Chase day, while The Minack didn't do a lot in front when winning at Warwick and I think he is crying out for 3m. He could go for the Reynoldstown next. I have entered the same owner's Definity too. He won over 2m4f at Fontwell today but he wants 3m. I actually think he could be better than The Minack, and he may go back to Fontwell for a valuable 2m6f race on National Spirit Hurdle Day on February 27 before possibly going to the Sun Alliance. We did this successfully with Star de Mohaison in 2006. He would need some cut, though.

New 2m4f Chase, or do i call it the Jewson Novice or the Golden Miller? (five entries): We have Definity, The Minack, Robinson, and Rebel in here. But also Royal Charm. He may miss Cheltenham altogether. But you have to buy a ticket to win, and we will see where we stand after his next race, maybe the Scilly Isles.

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Anonymous | 28 January 2011

i really think the festival is going the same way as boxing, too many different champions and weight divisions makes it abig turnoff.Was not the ryanair the old cathcart chase,can see this race hitting the ARKLE,SUN ALLIANCE, and the JEWSON
Oliver M | 28 January 2011

Do you think a 2m4 hurdle race is really a good idea though? Does it not just slightly weaken competition in the 2m and 3m divisions? This year particularly, how many horses would take this option in order to avoid Big Bucks?

Just my opinion obviously... but would the Gold Cup and Champion Chase not be much stronger races this year too without a Ryanair, admittedly the horses in the Ryanair would perhaps be less fancied in the GC and CC but it would add tremendous strength in depth.
paul | 28 January 2011

spot on-there should be championship races at 2m 4 fur ,hdls and chases.horses like mad max,riverside theatre even sizing europe would have gone for them as novices at 2m 4fur instead of 2m last year.too many horses are trying to fit into the 2 mile category when they need further,its only the undulating and steep up-hill finish at cheltenham,that these horses can get away with the 2 mile trip.
Paul Costello | 29 January 2011

Hi Paul, you mention that Royal Charm may miss Cheltenham all together.
Is there any reason for this as he is one of my favourite horses and I was looking forward to seeing him in the flesh.

Kind Regards

Paul Costello
lewi 38 | 03 February 2011

i love cheltenham as the races there bring out the top horses and i would love more races at cheltenham as long as the price money is right so the classier type of horse turns up