2026 Pendil Novices Chase Betting Tips

The going at Kempton Park is good to soft this weekend, with Jax Junior operating as the favourite for the Pendil Novices Chase. Sponsored by Ladbrokes, this is a Grade Two encounter over two miles, four and a half furlongs, with the market leader having achieved a notable victory last time out. The seven year old was a winner at Sandown last month.

Over nearly two miles, the runner was able to score a four length success and it appears as though wind surgery has had the desired effect. Back in November, there was also a win at Kempton Park in a Beginners' Chase over two miles and two furlongs. Beating favourite Jeriko Du Reponet by twelve lengths was certainly no mean feat.

Go West has claimed a couple of victories for Paul Nicholls this season and the eight-year-old was able to score at Musselburgh in early February. The 7/2 shot was able to score over two miles, four and a half furlongs. The horse was able to prosper on good to soft conditions but might need to deal with heavier ground on this occasion.

Jasmine Bliss runs for Harry Derham and was able to score at Huntingdon over two miles and four furlongs last time out. The runner was a two-length winner after a credible third-placed finish at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. Sent off at odds of 22/1, the horse kept on well unlike many other runners to finish in the frame.

2025 Pendil Novices' Chase Tips

Jingko Blue is a six-year-old that could shine at the Cheltenham Festival and he has been installed as the favourite to win the Ladbrokes Pendil Novices' Chase. Nicky Henderson saddles a runner that claimed back to back successes before unseating his rider last time out. That came at Ascot in a small field although there were previous victories at Uttoxeter and Windsor.

The triumph at Uttoxeter was over two miles and four furlongs on soft ground, with a nine and a half length success coming before a facile success in the Hampton Novices’ Chase. The fall in the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase came early enough in the race not to have too much of a bearing and the horse could be a backable price here.

However, Rubaud is a worthy adversary and the seven-year-old has produced some smart successes this term. Paul Nicholls trains a runner who scored at Kempton Park back in October to demonstrate his ability at this track, with a success coming at Wincanton. After a fall at Kempton over the festive period and he wasn’t far behind L’Eau du Sud in the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase.

Imperial Saint is a seven-year-old with bags of ability and the horse was able to finish third out of eleven runners after a solid performance in the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase. On Boxing Day, the Philip Hobbs-trained charge was able to register a victory by over six lengths and there were previously two success at Aintree.