Do Touch It! Classy novice my best chance of a winner this week

It is no secret that I am very keen on Don't Touch It in the Grade 3 Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase (2.15). I told you all in this column on Monday that he was my best chance of a winner this week, and I am pleased to report that nothing has changed and he remains in rude health.

We brought him back in early to have a crack at this race. He remains a novice until December 1 and we have to try to exploit that in any way we can. This is an ideal race for him and his handicapping experience should stand to him.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to see him winning such a valuable handicap chase at the Punchestown festival. Don't be fooled by the narrow winning margin – he doesn't do a tap when he gets to the front so he is never going to win by far. He always thinks the job is done when he gets there and idles like mad, which is not good for my heart, let me tell you.