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.