'I’ve always been convinced he's a smart chaser' - who rates his runner highly?

Future Stars Intermediate Chase (Listed Race) | 3m | 4yo+ | RTV

This race was becoming a Nicky Henderson benefit after he won it with long odds-on favourites in 2017, 2019 and last year.

Many bemoaned the fact that he would run his King George and Gold Cup hopes here, but the race looks bare without him this year.

There certainly don't appear to be any Grade 1 horses in the line-up. Pic D'Orhy has run twice at the top tier over fences and was beaten 27 lengths on the first attempt in the Scilly Isles here in February.

He didn't even complete on the second occasion, when pulled up behind Millers Bank in one of the weakest top-level events of last season.

Does He Know has yet to try his luck in Grade 1 company over fences, but he appeared to have the potential to compete at that level when winning three times last season, including the Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot in February.

The problem is he disappointed next time at Cheltenham in the Ultima and now needs to bounce back after falling at Kelso last time.

Fantastikas finished ahead of Does He Know in the Ultima and has the potential to develop into a useful handicapper this season. He was pulled up when last seen at Ayr but is better than that and, although this is a prep race for Newbury's Coral Gold Cup, Nigel Twiston-Davies's runners rarely lack for fitness.

The mares Dazzling Glory and Victorias Peak receive upwards of 13lb from the other three, but should still be outclassed even with that weight pull.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Newbury warm-up

Not too many take in this race on the way to what is now the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in just under three weeks' time, and the only runner with that entry in today’s line-up is Fantastikas.

The seven-year-old is using this as a prep for the Berkshire feature on November 26 on just his first season out of the novice ranks and is 16-1 with the sponsors for the race formerly known as the Hennessey.

Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, Fantastikas won two of his six starts over fences last season, including a £50,000 race at Lingfield, and finished a creditable seventh in the Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before pulling up in the Scottish Grand National.

His jockey Sam Twiston-Davies said: “Fantastikas had a great season last year and he did travel and jump well at Ayr on his final appearance, but it proved to be one race too many for him.

"He’s in good shape at home and it was a tricky choice between the three-and-a-quarter-mile race at Cheltenham next week or this as a prep for what was the Hennessey.”

He added: “As it’s his first season out of the novice ranks we feel he would have one shot at the Newbury race, and hopefully there will be some improvement there.

"Hopefully, he can run well in this and if there is one year he could win a Hennessey, it could be this one. “

What they say

Kim Bailey, trainer of Does He Know
He got knocked over at the first fence on his reappearance at Kelso, which was not good, and if he’d won there probably wouldn’t be running in this. This is Plan D, if you like. He seems fine after his mishap and has done plenty of schooling since. We’re on a retrieval mission and the plan would be for him to have a nice race around there, but it’s not an ideal race or track for him. However, you are so limited to where you can go with a horse of his rating.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Pic D’Orhy
We couldn’t have wished for a better start to his season when he won a chase at Newton Abbot, giving 23lb to the runner-up and being eased down before the line. He seems better in a small field and I’ve always been convinced he would be a smart chaser, and he’s getting his act together now.
Reporting by David Milnes

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