Scilly Isles Novices Chase Big Race Verdict: Expect an elite Sandown performance from Kitzbuhel

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Scilly Isles Novices' Chase contenders

Kitzbuhel - OR 153 TF RATING 164p

Currently at a price of 10/111.91 on the Sportsbook (14:40 Sandown) and the favourite, Willie Mullins sends over his young chaser bidding to win this race for the first time since 2015.

Kitzbuhel beat Kaid d'Authie on his chasing debut at Punchestown in November in soft and heavy conditions, and a prompt rise in class at Kempton over Christmas in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase saw him improve again with a beautiful round of jumping and travelling.

Indeed, the Kempton success was a 2lb superior run on TF ratings at 150 weight adjusted and the form of his Punchestown debut has been boosted, and how, as Kaid d'Authie as has since won over fences by 10L.

Mullins will of course have duties elsewhere in Dublin, but if he were to be at Sandown, it would be like the showman introducing his latest prodigy to the audience.

Kala Conti - OR 149 TF RATING 169p

Gordon Elliott, often chasing the tail of Mullins in pursuit of the prizes like a man chasing his hat in the wind, has got a fine mare here who has taken to fences with ease and she can match Kitzbuhel's 2-2 chasing with big wins at Cork - the latest being a 16L demolition job in a Grade 2.

Her Timeform figure is superior to the favourite and like Kitzbuhel, the form of her latest win has been giving more than a nudge with the second that day Kargese winning by 16L.

Kala Conti's Grade 2 win in Mallow was a 10ln better run than her debut too. Elliott won this race with Gerri Colombe in 2023.

Sixmilebridge OR 149 - TF RATING 162p

Fergal O'Brien has lacked a genuine Grade 1 horse for a while and while he came up short in the Turners Novices' Hurdle at the Festival last term, Sixmilebridge has clicked over fences with easy wins at Ayr and latterly Cheltenham with a 13L novice win.

He beat the disappointing Califet En Vol at Prestbury Park last time, and that horse has let the form down twice since.

Miami Magic OR 142 - TF RATING 151+

Miami Magic has the most to do on bare form and 11lb shy of Kitzbuhel is reflected in his 11/112.00 price on the Sportsbook.

The figure from Timeform recorded last time at 137 leaves him with a lot of ground to make up and his latest success was on good ground and has raced on good ground all season.

Trainer Quotes

Willie Mullins on Kitzbuhel (Sporting Life): "He will definitely be heading to Sandown Park on Saturday for the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase.

"He's been training well since Christmas and given he had the experience of travelling over to England for the Kauto Star we know he handles such things well."

Gordon Elliot on Kala Conti (15th Jan ATR site): "I might go for the Scilly Isles with her. It could cut up and she could get black-type placed there.

"If she went there and ran well you'd have to think about Cheltenham."

Fergal O'Brien on Sixmilebridge (Racing Post 21st Jan): "We'll know a lot more after the Scilly Isles (regards to Brown Advisory). We'll see how we get on there. They're always trying to tweak things and make them better, but I'd rather focus on what's there now than what used to be."

"It would be fantastic and it would be lovely if it was him as the Megsons [owners] are great supporters. But genuinely, it wouldn't matter which one it was - it's just important we get that festival winner."

Stuart Edmunds on Miami Magic (21st Jan Racing Post): "I am looking at the Scilly Isles, and unless it was very soft he would go there. Beyond that we have to consider the TrustATrader Plate on the Tuesday or the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap on the Thursday at Cheltenham. A step up to three miles will be on the radar later in the season, possibly at Aintree."

Tactics and pace map

FRONT RUNNER: Kitzbuhel, Miami Magic, Sixmilebridge.

PROMINENT: Kala Conti.

Big Race Verdict

As you can see from the rather extensive pace map, three like to lead and as I worry about the ground with Miami Magic, Kitzbuhel's form over 3m from last time at Kempton will stand him in good stead with more testing ground and assured pace (well that's what the map says).

I revisited his round of jumping at Kempton and at times a few of the leaps were spectacular. He was ever so brace and took off at some, and while he stuttered slightly at the fourth, he was better at the next (the open ditch) stood off and winged the 13th and attacked the 14th with zest.

The grey is likely to be in the Turners over 3m at the Festival and I do not see the drop back to 2m4f here as a negative at all

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Now read Katie Midwinter's Saturday tips here.

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