2024 Towton Novices' Chase Tips

Colonel Harry is the horse to beat according to the horse racing bookmakers, with the seven-year-old having won at Chepstow in early November before finishing second out of six runners at Sandown in December. Sent off as the 2/1 favourite in that race, he was beaten in the Betfair Henry VIII Novices Chase although the bookies still respect his chances here.

Apple Away was victorious for trainer Lucinda Russell last time out and the horse was able to oblige in a three-runner race at Leicester in December, although the charge could only finish third out of five when it came to the previous Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase at Haydock Park, with other runners also worthy of consideration here.

Trelawne returned to the track at the beginning of November and was able to score in a five-runner race at Carlisle, with the horse obliging over three and a half lengths against four other horses. More recently, there was an outing at Cheltenham which resulted in a third-placed finish out of six runners, with Kim Bailey saddling one for the shortlist.

Crebilly finished fourth last time out when running in the same race as Trelawne, with the same horse having previously fallen at Cheltenham. However, there was a bet365 Handicap Hurdle victory back in April and there could be plenty offered by Chasing Fire and The King Of Ryhope who are available at a backable each-way price.

2023 Towton Novices' Chase Tips

Ballygrifincottage was the winner of the Jewson St Helens Novices' Chase on 30 November 2022. While there was plenty to like about an eleven-length victory against favourite Beauport, this was a three-runner race and perhaps not the best indication of form. The horse previously finished an impressive fourth in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at a big price.

The bookies think that this horse is going to take all the beating, with Mister Coffey looking like a decent contender, with the runner finishing second in a handicap chase at Chepstow Racecourse over the festive season. However, the horse was particularly under-par when finishing well down the pecking order in the Randox Topham Handicap Chase.

City Chief was able to win last time out and the six-year-old is another Nicky Henderson-trained runner was able to oblige at even money in a Handicap Chase at Hereford Racecourse, while the horse finished fifth in a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Hurdle when being sent off as the market leader.

O’Toole has to be respected based on his achievements so far, with a victory occurring at Newcastle Racecourse in early January. Thunder Rock has also scored back-to-back wins this season and the seven-year-old might also be on the shortlist, with the horse racing odds indicating that this is an open encounter.