Grade Two December Novices' Chase Guide 2021

Only the three runners in this Novices Chase, but three fascinating runners line up.

Threeunderthrufive has already had three runs over fences this season for Champion trainer Paul Nicholls (Who has won this race three times in the past, joint most with Nicky Henderson) with form figures of 211.

He was well beaten on debut over the larger obstacles where he was beaten by Does He Know by just over 5 lengths and looked quite novicey when jumping, but since then has never looked backed and looks a real nice chaser in the making.

He has made it two for two since his debut, winning the Silver Bowl Novices Chase at Exeter by 15 lengths after making all and jumping much better than his debut run, then he went on to look to reverse the form with Does He Know at Cheltenham in November, which he duly obliged in doing so.

He was kept in behind the leader that day and put the pressure on them at times but then was handed the lead when the front runner fell at the third, he was pushed out to win from there and stayed on superbly up the Cheltenham hill to win by just over four lengths.

He has looked a different prospect since his debut, jumping better and always travelling strongly, Adrian Heskin gets on well with the horse and is currently in top form, With seven winners in just 17 rides over the last 14 days (41% strike rate).

The small field will help and he can take the step up in class in his stride providing he can handle the step up to 2m7f, but after his last effort it looks as if he will.

Two wins out of three runs over fences so far, Highest rated in the race but does give 3lb’s to the other runners.

Clearly the class act runner and is the one to beat.

The lowest rated horse in the field who is also the least experienced out of the three, only having the one start over fences which was a wide margin win at Lingfield in November.

He was very consistent over hurdles (Form figures of 2221) and was just three quarter of a length second to Threeunderthrufive at Musselburgh last season over the smaller obstacles, but this is a whole different kettle of fish going over fences.

He was very impressive on debut over fences last time out but did jump slightly novicey on occasions so wouldn’t be able to do that in this race, but he did win by just under eight lengths so clearly has talent and won over the 2m7f trip, so we know he stays on the ground.

Should give the favourite something to think about.

The Warren Greatrex horse looked a real nice prospect back in 2020 when he won the Grade Two Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock by eight lengths, beating a classy field with ease that day looking like a real classy stayer in the making for either hurdles or fences.

Things however haven’t worked out too well for them since though, as there has been no wins in 6 starts but he has been contesting in some nice races.

They have been trying their hand with chasing in his last few runs (Form figures of 232 over fences) all of which were in small fields, but he was reverted back to hurdles a few times in between chase runs which does give you slight cause for concern.

Although he was beaten at fairly short odds last time out at Hexham and was clearly well fancied, he ran a good race for his first start in over six months, jumping well and battled on gamely all the way to the line, this would have blown the cobwebs away for this.

But he took a keen hold early on in that race last time out and he can’t be doing that against two classy opponents in this.

Vibes are good for the 7yo from the yard, and they think he has improved over the summer again.

Consistent over fences but hasn’t won over the larger obstacles and can be keen early on in races, does get 3lb off the favourite however so could go close.