Racing Post Novice Chase: A runner-by-runner betting guide

It’s a shame Maybro wasn’t announced today as we would have loved to have seen his response to Sir Ginus’ win over Ballyburn at Kempton.

Nevertheless, some of the top two-mile Novice chasers will line up with the exciting Inthepocket, looking to make up for lost time and establish himself as Ireland’s leading hope for the 2025 Cheltenham Arkle Novices’ Chase.

Key statistics: Of the last nine races in the Grade 2 Racing Post Novice Chase, either Willie Mullins or Henry de Bromhead have won an extension all the time.

Get all the latest pre and post Cheltenham Festival odds from the leading online horse racing bookmakers here.

Racing Post Novice Chase Grade 2 by Runner Betting Guide

Now it’s time to take an in-depth look at the Grade 2 Racing Post Novice Chase runners and The best horse racing betting companies To help bet the winner

🏇 3 pockets

• age: 8
• weight: 11th 4 pounds
• form: 41/2-1
• Rating:-
• jockey: Rachel Blackmore
• coach: Henry de Bromhead
• chance: 6/5

After a Novice Hurdle campaign that brought Grade 1 success at the Aintree Festival, there were high hopes for Inthepocket heading into his Novice Chase career last season.

It started well with a tender handling after the late Fasile Vega, but injury put future plans on hold.

He came into the season still a novice and made up for lost time with a comfortable eight-length win over compatriot Farren Glory (who has since won, as third).

There are high expectations for Inthepocket here, and I don’t see him letting up on his connections.

He is a very exciting horse who could take this horse on his way to contest the Arkle Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

✅ In his return, he won in a counter
✅ beginner’s obstacle, winner of the 1st grade
Fast from his fences

❌ may be taken for leadership

Star rating: ⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Inthepocket with talkSPORT BET 🐎

🏇 1 Firefox

• age: 7
• weight: 11th 4 pounds
• form: 13-322
• Rating:-
• jockey: Sam Ewing
• coach: Gordon Elliott
• chance: 5/2

Firefox made a good start to his chase when running Mossy Fen Park over two miles and four furlongs at Down Royal in November, eventually winning comfortably.

Four weeks later he was sent off as a strong favorite for the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse, where a combination of over-the-top racing at a steady pace cost the odds. He is done winning.

The winner, Croke Park, has since followed that win up with another Grade 1 win at Leopardstown, giving it form (Heathwood’s second was well beaten since the Savills Chase).

Right after his defeat at Fairyhouse, Firefox probably needs a short trip, and he gets it here.

For a horse that jumps his fences well, I let him walk and use his jumping.

But the question is, do they want to do this with the possibility that Inthepocket and Ile Atlantique also want to increase the speed?

If they want to get the best out of him, I can see them letting him step up, but if he has a lot of pace, they can pass him and go ahead.

Tactically, it will be interesting to see what they do with Firefox, and I’m a big fan of his, but he may have a hard time using Inthepocket.

A journey within a journey
It lasts in its fences

❌ Can be more than a match

Star rating: ⭐️⭐⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Firefox with Sky Bet 🐎

🏇 2 Atlantic islands

• age: 7
• weight: 11th 4 pounds
• form: 2357-1
• Rating:-
• jockey: Townend Bridge
• coach: Willie Mullins
• chance: 5/2

Il Atlantic had a flawless performance in his chase debut at Navan over two miles and four furlongs, but fell back on the trip here today, which I don’t see as positive.

He was placed Grade 1 over hurdles at two miles and four furlongs, and was beaten 55 lengths by Atlantic Eel when tried in graded company over hurdles at this trip.

He’s not a horse that looks like he’s crying out for a drop in trip, and it looks like a fact-finding mission to see how he stacks up against the two-mile chasers because, like many rookie chasers in training, He has to do it. At the now defunct Cheltenham Festival the Grade 1 Runners Novices’ Chase was targeted.

For all I can see he’s running well, he looks like a top three bettor missing a gear here.

✅ He won much more in the first chase game

❌ was not the most consistent in obstacles
❌ Not sure if he wants to be left on the trip

Star rating: ⭐️⭐⭐

🐎 Bet on Ile Atlantique with Paddy Power 🐎

🏇 4 Kilbery St

• age: 6
• weight: 10 11 pounds
• form: 126-34
• Rating:-
• jockey: Dragh O’Keefe
• coach: C. O’Keefe
• chance: 1/66

Etisalat is simply on a black and white mission here, with Kilbarry Saint to match his graded position on the hurdles.

He’s usually quick, but if they’re going to get his best finishing position, they’ll have to have him in a situation where he’s likely to be quick here.

If they try to mix it up with speed, his race will be over before it even starts.

✅ Rides for the black brigade

❌ has not shown any form to threaten the leading players

Star rating: ⭐️⭐

🐎 Bet on Kilbarry Saint with Midnite 🐎

🏇 5 walking in time

• age: 8
• weight: 10 11 pounds
• form: P20745
• Rating:-
• jockey: Sian Quirk
• coach: David Harry Kelly
• chance: 1/200

Nothing remotely in the shape of Walk In Time gives him a chance of getting close to Kilbury St, let alone the top three.

A clear round is the best one can hope for here.

✅ No positive points can be mentioned
❌ He has no chance in this field

Star rating: ⭐️

🐎 Bet on Walk In Time with Betfred 🐎

Rating Racing Post Novice Chase Grade 2

Realistically, only three count here, and one that seems a little more classy than its competition. INTHPOCKET.

Having missed most of last season through injury, the Hernie Day Bromhead-trained gelding could win the Racing Post Novice Chase for his trainer at Waterford.

Current betting: Inthepocket 6/5, Firefox 5/2, Ile Atlantique 5/2, Kilbary Saint 66/1, Walk In Time 200/1.

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