Timeform Daily: Blue Square Novices Chase, Newbury, 2.40

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 27 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

It's a big trial for Arkle and Royal & SunAlliance chasers. Read the Timeform verdict here.

There may only be four runners in the 2.40 at Newbury, the Blue Square Novices Chase, but it looks a fascinating contest.

The Market Man from the in-form Nicky Henderson yard is the only one of the quartet that has not won over fences but arguably comes into the race with the best form over the larger obstacles. He made his debut over fences at Sandown back in February when he finished second to Silverburn in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novice Chase.

That was his first run in over two years and as his connections reportedly wanted to maintain his novice status for this season, his only subsequent start came in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival where he was said to have returned lame. The Market Man had looked very progressive back in the 2004/5 season winning four of his first five races over hurdles before finishing a close second to Mighty Man in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham. It will be very interesting to see how much ability he retains as he has obviously been very hard to train.

Kicks For Free probably didn't need to be anywhere near his best when getting off the mark at the first time of asking over fences at Aintree in October. A smart handicap hurdler last season when just touched off in the Coral Cup, his jumping took a while to warm up that day but ultimately he had far too much class for his rivals and this race will tell us a lot more about him.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Kicks For Free should have a good line to the form of Ring The Boss as this one finished second to his Breedsbreeze at Wincanton last time out. Ring The Boss travelled well for a long way in that race but looked held when making fairly serious mistakes at the third and second last fences.

He was highly tried over fences last season finishing second to Kruguyrova in a Grade 2 at Warwick before running respectably in the Arkle. He was then placed in a couple of valuable handicap hurdles in April before making a successful return to chasing at Cheltenham in October where he was still travelling well when left clear two out.

Completing the line-up is the Alan King-trained Oh Crick, who was little short of a revelation in novice hurdles last season, rattling up a four-timer. He went on to win a maiden chase at Hereford in May before getting his well-earned summer break. Having shaped as if in need of his re-appearence at Cheltenham he then went on to put up his best performance over fences when forcing Afsoun (receiving 6lb) to pull out all the stops at Warwick last time. He would have a bit to find with all of his rivals here on hurdles form but this likeable type is not one to dismiss lightly.