The Marsh Novices chase (previously known as the JLT Novices Chase) takes place around the new course during the Cheltenham Festival. Typically it kicks of day 3 of proceedings and is for novice chasers. The distance for the race is 2 miles 4 furlongs and there are 17 fences to jump. The Marsh Novices chase is open to horses aged 5 years and older and is a Grade 1 race. It is another one of the most recently introduced races for the The Cheltenham Festival, having first featured in 2011. No horse has won the race more than once, however Ruby Walsh (now retired) has won the race 3 times in his career.

The Marsh Novices Chase (previously known as the JLT Novices Chase is yet another race where the winners normally come from the top 3 in the betting. 7/9 winners came from the top 3 so it’s another race that you don’t want to be scrolling through the card looking for a rank outsider.

 

Itchy Feet

Will most likely come into this race as favourite and at a current price of 5-1 still looks to have a bit of value. He won the Betway Scilly Isles Novices´ Chase fairly comfortably in the end, even if his jumping wasn’t the most fluid. He also has some hurdling form at Cheltenham, coming an admirable 3rd in last year’s Supreme Novices Hurdle, so certainly one to take seriously.

  • Betway Scilly Isles Novices´ Chase - 1st Feb Watch  
  • Great Glen Novices´ Chase - 28th Dec Watch  


Easy Game - Non Runner

Easy Game beat Allaho earlier in the season and was only just beaten by Faugheen in the Flogas Novices Chase, but he was closing quickly and had the race been another furlong he would have won. I’d back Easy Game to reverse that form if the pair went head to head at Cheltenham, based on age and recovery time if nothing else. It’s yet to be seen whether or not he will go here as he’s also entered into The RSA, but 8-1 looks like a good EW price for him in this race.

  • Flogas Novice Chase - 2nd Feb Watch  
  • Ballymaloe Foods Beginners Chase 28th Dec Watch  
  • www.fairyhouse.ie Hurdle Watch  

 

Esprit Du Large - Non Runner

Esprit Du Large is entered here and in The Arkle and I’ll be backing him Each Way whichever race he decides to go to. He’s a big price at 25-1, but is one that has improved with every run so far, most notably on his last run at Sandown on 7th December. He likes to sit in behind a front runner, stalking them on the turn for home, then always seems to find enough to get the job done. I think he’s a massive price for an EW bet and represents great value.

  • Read Road To Cheltenham At racingtv.com Henry VIII Novices´ Chase - 7th Dec Watch  
  • RGB Building Supplies Beginners´ Chase - 13th Nov Watch  
  • Racing TV Chase (Novices´ Limited Handicap) Watch  


Maire Banrigh

She probably won’t run here, but if she does, is worth a mention. She’s won her last 6 races and will be getting the 7lb mares allowance. She beat Thomas Darby, although you’d say it was the greater experience that saw her win that race. She’s entered into the Arkle and The Marsh, but at 20-1 for this, she’s another with an EW chance

  • Pertemps Lady Protectress Mares´ Chase (Listed) (NHMOPS Bonus Race) - 24th Jan Watch  
  • British EBF ´National Hunt´ Novices´ Hurdle - 29th Dec Watch  
  • Use The racingtv.com Tracker Novices´ Chase - 8th Nov Watch  
  1. 7 of the last 9 winners were in the top 2 of the betting
  2. Willie Mullins has won this race 4 of the last 9 times
  3. All 9 previous winners had run at The Cheltenham Festival previously
  4. 8 of the last 9 winners placed first or 2nd last time out
  5. The top rated horse has only won this race once in 9 races
  6. 4 of the last 9 winners have been favourites
Scroll to top