Tank out to cement rising star status in John Francome Novices' Chase

12.40 Newbury
Ladbrokes John Francome Novices' Chase (Grade 2) | 2m7½f | 4yo+ | RTV

Team Tizzard have previous form with this event, which has been more than kind to them.

Native River won it in 2015 and was followed by stablemates Thistlecrack and Elegant Escape in the next two years, while turn the clock back to 2007 and you will see a success for Joe Lively.

Connections had considered running Reserve Tank in yesterday’s Ladbrokes ‘Where The Nation Plays’ Novices’ Chase at the track but opted for this instead. The talented five-year-old, a dual Grade 1-winning novice hurdler last term, lines up as the one to beat.

Second on his chasing debut at Chepstow in October, he was a commanding winner of a Wincanton Grade 2 this month, which means he concedes a 5lb penalty to his two rivals Ardlethen and Danny Whizzbang.

Colin Tizzard, whose son and assistant Joe partnered Joe Lively 12 years ago, said: "If he'd have run on Friday, he'd have had to give Champ 5lb, so we thought we'd pass on that. He's won over two miles five and looked as though he's a stayer at Wincanton, so the trip isn't a problem.

"He's come out of his last race well and is a lovely novice chaser who has had three weeks since that run. He's fit and well and the ground will be nice for him."

The Dan Skelton-trained Ardlethen won on his first start over fences at Chepstow, but was then beaten by the high-class Sam Spinner at Wetherby.

"He's got Reserve Tank to beat," Skelton said. "He's in good form, and his Wetherby second was no bad run. It will be hard to beat Reserve Tank, but we'll give it a go."

Paul Nicholls' winners of this since it was moved to Newbury in 2000

2000 Shotgun Willy
2001 Valley Henry
2004 Cornish Rebel
2009 Michel Le Bon
2010 Aiteen Thirtythree
2013 Just A Par

Danny Whizzbang, named after a character in the BBC hit Peaky Blinders, completes the field for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

A two-time hurdle winner, he runs in the colours of staunch Ditcheat supporter Angela Tincknell, whose Eritage bolted up at Taunton on Thursday, and screams staying chaser of the future.

Nicholls said: "He was going to run at the abandoned Exeter meeting last week and that would have suited him better. We've got to start somewhere and whatever he does, he'll improve for it."

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