'The boys who own him are quite excited about this' - novice chase quotes

Friday: 3.00 Lingfield
weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices' Chase | 2m7½f | 5yo+ | ITV4/Sky

In years gone by it wasn't a surprise when a top novice chaser turned up at Lingfield because the track hosted the Grade 2 December Novices' Chase until 2014 and class horses like Nick The Brief, Fiddling The Facts, Lord Sam, L’Ami and Burton Port were on the roll of honour.

This might not be a Grade 2 but the £26,015 on offer to the winner is upwards of £1,000 more than Threeunderthrufive got for landing the December Novices' Chase, which is now run at Doncaster, and Paul Nicholls might hold the key again with Broken Halo.

Threeunderthrufive is a dour stayer and Broken Halo is in the same mould. He was relentless from the front when making all on heavy going over a shorter trip at Exeter last time and is a point winner over three miles. He has also been placed over a similar sort of trip under rules.

This will be another slog through the mud and stamina will be at a premium back at nearly three miles. The horse who looks best equipped to cope is Broken Halo.

Hold That Taught: a winner at Lingfield over hurdles in similarly testing conditionsCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

But supporters of Hold That Taught might be thinking otherwise. That's because the Venetia Williams-trained seven-year-old was last seen in the Welsh Grand National and has won over three and a quarter miles on soft going at Carlisle, one of the stiffest tracks around.

Hold That Taught is a course winner on heavy ground too. That came over two miles in November 2019, so the deeper it gets at this notoriously muddy venue, the better it will suit.

Fantastikas finished second in the aforementioned December Novices' Chase behind Broken Halo's stablemate. Most of Fantastikas's best form has come on going with good in the description but he is by a German sire. It's a stereotype but, as anyone who watched the Arc will know, you dismiss German-breds at your peril when the mud is flying.

Classy mare Queenohearts looks the other with a chance and she loves testing ground, but she returns from a long absence on her debut for Kim Bailey and the stable has been quiet of late.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Broken Halo
The boys who own him are quite excited about this. He ran well on his first run over fences but was a bit keen and didn't really get the trip. We'll take our time with him but he was impressive last time, albeit the favourite unseated at the first and who knows what the form is really worth.

Phil Kirby, trainer of Bushypark
I still can't really explain the reason for his disappointing run at Haydock. He's been fine since and maybe he wasn't suited by the big fences as he didn't show the same exuberance as he did at Kelso. I hope he'll run a big race if he can get back to that form.

Sam Twiston-Davies, rider of Fantastikas
He's run some solid races this season and is a course winner so looks to have a leading chance. The only question mark would be the ground but hopefully he can cope.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Midnight River
He's got to get the trip but I don't see why he wouldn't stay. Slow ground is helpful to him and I hope he'll be competitive.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Colonial Dreams
He's only had one run over fences and ran very well at Newbury. He schooled well on Thursday and I'd be optimistic.

Kim Bailey, trainer of Queenohearts
She's had a slight issue but seems fine at the moment. She should like the heavy ground and I've been very pleased with her at home.
Reporting by David Carr

Friday's race previews:

1.50 Lingfield: Can Eclair D'Ainay back up Wetherby win for the Skeltons in £50,000 event?

2.25 Lingfield: 'This is a good race for him' - On The Blind Side given golden opportunity

3.35 Lingfield: 'The Irish could have a bit in hand' - who fears the raiders in £100k handicap?

6.15 Dundalk: Group 1 winner Thunder Moon warms up for Saudi target in classy conditions event

Meydan: O'Meara's admirable stalwart Lord Glitters bids for another Meydan victory

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