Kauto Star Novices' Chase Guide 2021

In what looks to be a two-horse contest is also such an intriguing affair with arguably two of the best novice chasers in the UK at the moment battling it out once again, but this time over the larger obstacles.

Bravemansgame was beaten in the Sefton Novices Hurdle last season by Ahoy Senor, but really does look the part this season as a chaser.

Two starts over the bigger obstacles so far this term with two wins, including a 2 and a half length win in a top graduation chase at Haydock in November, with some Graded winners in behind.

He jumps the fences for fun and has made all in both of his starts over them, but he is arguably yet to have a real test yet, but you can’t help with being very impressed with what we have seen so far from him.

A horse trained by the champion trainer Paul Nicholls is always going to peak the racing fans interest, and once that looks as talented as Bravemansgame will always have a lot of support.

He was a Grade 1 winner over Hurdles in the Challow last December and finished 3rd in the Ballymore Novices at the Cheltenham Festival.

He looks even better over fences and has been compared to a few of the greats by his trainer that he has trained in the past.

Very exciting horse who is unbeaten over fences this term, a superb jumper who makes it a test from the front.

Fascinating battle with Ahoy Senor who he looks for redemption against.

A horse with a big reputation coming into this season since it was announced he would go over fences, the yard is bullish of him and think he will be a real superstar in the future.

He was a big priced winner of the Sefton Hurdle at Aintree in April, destroying Bravemansgame by 7 lengths after making all and jumping superbly running on through the line.

He was set out to show that was no fluke performance. Things didn’t exactly go to plan on his first chase start in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase (Listed) as he unseated 2 out and did look to be beat that day.

He did look if he needed the run and that was proven correct when he absolutely hacked up in the Grade 2 John Francome Novices Chase at Newbury last month, making all again to win by 31 lengths.

Looking at the form of his last race, you would think he would be the favourite in the Kauto Star on Boxing Day, but he did jump out to his right on occasions in his last run, and does like to make all, just like his rival Bravemansgame but does he have the speed to get the lead early on?

But if it comes down to a battle of attrition late on in the race, Ahoy Senor looks to be the one to be with as he looks like the true 3 miler plus in the making and has ran at this sort of trip over fences, Bravemansgame has yet to do so.

Really impressive in the John Francome last time out winning by 31 lengths, does jump to the right on occasions and will need to brush up on his jumping if he wants to be with Bravemansgame at the front.

A nice chaser in his own right who won a listed contest on chasing debut before finishing 2nd in a Grade 2 at Newbury last time out.

He was well beaten that day by 30 lengths, by a horse who has been disappointing in a run since they met.

He could win a nice prize further down into this season but looks slightly out of his depth in this race that is really the battle of two titan chasers at the top of the market.

Winner over fences on his debut, disappointed in a Grade 2 last time out beaten a long way and needs to find quite a bit more to win this against some top-class novice chasers.

Best watched.

Another horse who does have some good form over fences and is the most experienced, winning last time out for the first time over the larger obstacles.

That was only a Class 2 Novices Chase at Haydock where he just won by a neck.

He takes the step up to Grade 1 company in this and does look slightly out of his depth.

Most experienced chaser in the field, but lacks the quality of the main two in the market and will be best watched in this.