There’s Grade 2 action at Ascot on Friday afternoon with the Noel Novices’ Chase taking centre stage at 3:05pm and it will see a field of four runners head to the 2m 2f 175y start. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers previews the contest and picks out his 1-2-3 for the event.
JOHNNYWHO
(Jonjo O’Neill Jr/J & A O’Neill)
A comfortable one-and-a-half length winner at Carlisle on chasing debut, Johnnywho failed to build on that effort when third in the Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury. Finishing behind a classy pairing in the shape of The Jukebox Man and Massacio, Johnnywho will remain in Grade 2 company on Friday, but these are much calmer waters. He was always struggling at Newbury, but this is likely to be run at a slower pace, so he can improve his jumping and if he can improve on that recent run then he’s the one to beat.
RARE EDITION
(David Bass/Charlie Longsdon)
Victorious on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter, Rare Edition was then unable to give significant amounts of weight away in handicap company last time out when second at Ascot. This should be a different assignment for Charlie Longsdon’s charge, who will not have to give weight to his adversaries here and on his third chase start he has to be of interest.
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Thu 19 Dec 2024PERSONAL AMBITION
(Ben Jones/Ben Pauling)
Personal Ambition ended last season finishing last of six in the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree and things have been a struggle over fences as he is yet to get his head in front in two starts over the larger obstacles. Last of two at Uttoxeter on debut, he was then beaten into fourth at Ascot on his next start, so Ben Pauling’s raider will need to show notable improvement if he is to lay a glove on the top two in the betting.
MARK OF GOLD
(Caoilin Quinn/G & J Moore)
Highly tried over hurdles, Mark Of Gold was rated in the low 140s over timber and will now make his chasing debut on Friday afternoon. It’s a tough ask for the Gary & Josh Moore-trained raider, but such is his experience he should have no real issues taking to the discipline. He will have his work cut out against those with experience, but he could well sneak into the first three, if he can put a solid round of jumping in.
VERDICT
A disappointing field, but it’s an ideal opportunity for JOHNNYWHO to get back to winning ways, as this is much easier than his last outing over fences and he can get his head in front. Rare Edition has shown talent over fences and he can grab second, while chasing debutant Mark Of Gold can grab the bronze medal.
2024 Noel Novices’ Chase Predicted 1-2-3
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