'It's a red-hot race' - novice chasers clash in Grade 2 Future Champions

Saturday: 3.00 Ayr
Jordan Electrics Ltd Future Champion Novices' Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4½f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

The name of this race should be changed immediately because it does not produce future champions and, if there is a subsequent world-beater in this line-up, it will be a big surprise.

That is not to be meant in a derogatory way about any of the classy quintet. They are all on the verge of becoming smart chasers and Do Your Job has mixed it with the best this campaign.

Arkle winner Edwardstone appears twice in his formlines and his last defeat came at the hands of another classy British novice, Third Time Lucki, in a Grade 2 in January.

The drop in class to handicap company worked the oracle for Do Your Job last time and he ran out a ready winner at Newcastle. That confirmed he is ready for the return to this class.

Minella Drama won in this grade at Haydock in January and maybe a hard race on heavy ground there took its toll when he was disappointing in the Pendil at Kempton in February.

Minella Drama has form figures reading 121254 on going with good in the description, so the better ground at Kempton should not have been an issue and these conditions look ideal again.

Trainer Donald McCain continues to fire in the winners and Minella Drama can bounce back.

Harry Cobden appears to have chosen to go to Newbury, instead of Ayr, and Bryony Frost comes in for the ride on the Paul Nicholls-trained Il Ridoto. He has disappointed on his last two outings, but both came on heavy ground and the return to a better surface is in his favour.

Il Ridoto produced his best performance of the season on good to soft going at Newbury's Ladbrokes Trophy meeting and Nicholls loves this race. He has won it seven times before.

Useful handicappers Jacamar and Kiltealy Briggs complete the five-runner line-up and neither can be discounted in a race where there is just 8lb between top and bottom on RPRs.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Jacamar 'deserves a chance like this'

Milton Harris is having a season to remember and it could get even better if Jacamar obliges, but victory for the seven-year-old would surely mean a slice of credit finding its way to Paddy Brennan.

Brennan partnered Jacamar when the pair were successful at Leicester last time, but heads to Newbury, so Mitchell Bastyan steps in.

Bastyan has had a fine campaign too, riding 21 of the 48 winners Harris has saddled.

"It was a 50-50 decision to run as we're wrong at the weights, but the horse is in great form and I think he's better than his mark and I'm not sure if some of his rivals are as good as their marks," said Harris.

"It's not a red-hot race and he deserves a chance at a Graded race. Paddy Brennan was adamant that we should have a go at something like this, so we can blame him for this. Paddy's got to go to Newbury to ride, so if Jacamar wins I'm a hero, and if he loses it's Paddy's fault!"

What they say

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Kiltealy Briggs
He didn't stay at Cheltenham. He went well for a long way in the Ultima and he's related to Ballabriggs, who won the Grand National, so we always thought three miles was for him, but he didn't seem to stay 3m1f at Cheltenham. He jumped well and we're dropping back in trip, while a smaller field could help. It's his last chance as a novice chaser, so we may as well have a go.

Michael Scudamore, trainer of Do Your Job
On ratings, he should be right in the mix and stepping up to two and a half miles seemed to be the right thing to do last time. He's won around Ayr and is in good form, so I'm looking forward to this.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Il Ridoto
There are not many options left for him this season and he's been running on really testing ground, so I just thought this race was worth a try. He's only a novice until the end of the campaign and he's not a million miles off on ratings. When he won at Newbury earlier in the season it was like his Gold Cup in a lot of ways as he had a four-year-old allowance and a nice mark. Since then, he's lost that allowance and he's gone up a bit. He'll definitely get two and a half miles next season and has a chance if he gets the trip here.
Reporting by James Burn

Read all of Saturday's previews:

1.15 Ayr: Is it worth taking on the favourite Sebastopol in Listed handicap chase?

1.50 Ayr: His talent is undeniable - but can Dusart strike despite short turnaround?

2.25 Ayr: Expert analysis and key trainer quotes for the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr

2.45 Newbury: Which trainer thinks his mare will 'run a very big race' in Grade 2?

3.35 Ayr: 'She's in great form' - Christian Williams on his leading Scottish National duo

3.35 Ayr: Runner-by-runner guide: key quotes and star ratings for Scottish Grand National

Is there another Poetic Flare lurking on trials day at Leopardstown?

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