The Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase has proven a useful preparation for the Arkle at Cheltenham, with Edwardstone doing the double in 2022. Four runners will go to post this year, including one of Britain’s leading Arkle chances…
L’EAU DU SUD
(Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton)
A revelation this season, L’Eau Du Sud was hitting the crossbar in handicap hurdles last term, including finishing second in the Betfair Hurdle and the County Hurdle at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. However, chases have proved a different proposition, as the grey has taken well to jumping, winning on all three of his starts over fences to date.
The seven-year-old won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase last time out from two Irish raiders and looks capable of making his presence felt at Cheltenham, although the Arkle looks an extremely strong race. This should be a much calmer preparation under a penalty, although may not be a foregone conclusion given one of his rivals.
RUBAUD
(Paul Nicholls/Lorcan Williams)
Rubaud faced an impossible task on his chasing debut, bumping into perhaps the two best novice chasers this season in Sir Gino and Ballyburn. He fell when well beaten against them at Kempton, but the fact Paul Nicholls ran him in such a strong race on his chasing debut suggests that those within Ditcheat have significant faith in him.
He bumps into another talented rival here, but will be in receipt of 5lb and his baptism of fire may have prepared him well. It could also have had the reverse effect, and he is much less experienced than his rivals, but should be respected for his connections.
William Hill Hurdle Tips 2025 – Back This 22/1 Shot To Land Newbury Prize
A hugely competitive renewal of the William Hill Handicap Hurdle will take place at Newbury on Saturday 8th February. One of the most exciting two-mile handicap hurdles on the National Hunt calendar, this year’s contest may be devoid of a star performer, but it should be a cracking betting heat and our tipster Steve Chambers…
Thu 06 Feb 2025TEDLEY
(Nigel Twiston-Davies/Jamie Brace)
After a string of likeable performances to begin his chasing career, Tedley has gone off the boil slightly of late. He won on his first two chase starts in handicap company, before three successive runner-up efforts, but a last of three at Cheltenham and a fifth at Ascot suggest he has found his level off a mark of 130, which is well below what should be required here.
RISKINTHEGROUND
(Dan Skelton/Charlie Todd)
The eight-year-old Riskintheground won four times over the summer to shoot up the handicap, but found it much tougher in more competitive races during the autumn. He was at least third in a decent novice handicap at Cheltenham among those efforts, but is likely the pacemaker in here and will likely be hoping to hold on for third.
VERDICT
This should be a good stepping stone for L’EAU DU SUD on his route towards the Cheltenham Festival. Dan Skelton’s charge is unbeaten, winning a Grade 1 last time, and is not easy to oppose, albeit he should be kept fairly honest by Rubaud. The second choice is much less experienced over fences, but was pitched in at the deep end on debut and could make this a fair contest in receipt of 5lb. Riskintheground and Tedley are fighting for third.
- L’Eau Du Sud
- Rubaud
- Riskintheground
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