Whether it be multiple-time Grade 1 victors Bob Olinger, Samcro, or Yorkhill, the Cheltenham Festival’s Turners Novices’ Chase has had its fair share of reputable winners since its inception in 2011.
This year’s two-mile and four-furlong affair is shaping up to be similar, with a strong field of entries unveiled that include many horses who have succeeded at the Grade 1 level. With that in mind, read on as we take a look at the favorites and their respective form in the lead-up to the Turners Novices’ Chase taking place on March 16th.
Mighty Potter
Currently the highest-rated novice chaser at Timeform, many fans and pundits believe that this race will be Mighty Potter’s to lose.
After reigning supreme in the Beginners Chase at Down Royal by three and a half lengths from Mars Harper and Largy Debut – the promising six-year-old showed his class yet again a month later to defeat the well-respected Gaillard Du Mesnil by more than fourth lengths at Fairyhouse.
Mighty Potter’s trainer Gordon Elliott will be quietly confident heading into the fixture – having won the Cheltenham renewal on two previous occasions with the aforementioned Samcro in 2020 and Shattered Love in 2018.
While the French-bred horse has looked tough to beat in his recent outing – given the deep field expected – he will need to have a flawless run if he is to maintain his unbeaten record as a chaser. For those interested in placing a Bet on Cheltenham with Paddy Power, Mighty Potter is the favorite at 3/1.
Appreciate It
The joint-favorite alongside Mighty Potter with some bookies, nine-year-old Appreciate It has too kicked off his season with two emphatic wins at Punchestown and Naas. His run at Naas in particular showed how dangerous the gelding can be when ridden well and with room to move, dominating the field to reign supreme by 21 lengths.
He could be one of the most interesting contenders if trainer Willie Mullins ultimately decides to step him up to this intermediate trip – and given the promise he has displayed since transitioning to fences – he could give Elliott’s Mighty Potter some problems down the stretch. As mentioned earlier, he currently sits as the joint favorite with some betting providers, however, he is the second favorite with the majority at 4/1.
James Du Berlais
Appreciate It’s stablemate James Du Berlais is another hopeful for Mullins and looked promising in his only run this season at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. The seven-year-old would ultimately go on to win that fixture in Ireland by 15 lengths – and in doing so – established himself as a chaser to watch heading into the Cheltenham Festival.
There is plenty of anticipation surrounding this French horse – largely in part to his success as a juvenile hurdler – and if he can put forth a strong challenge and even win the Turner Novices’ Chase in what would be just his second outing over fences, Mullins may have one of the brightest chase prospects in jumps racing.
For those following the Cheltenham Festival betting tips – at 7/1, James Du Berlais could prove to be a great value.
