Master Tommytucker can mix it with the best if he cuts out novicey falls

Master Tommytucker took his record over fences to one win and three falls when capsizing at Kempton on Saturday, so what do we make of this talented but clumsy individual?

To speculate on whether he would have won is almost pointless. There was a considerable way to go still and it cannot be said for sure what would have happened.

Instead, it may be best to focus on why Master Tommytucker keeps tipping over. It is obvious, but the first point to make is he is a novice running in novice chases. He is a novice because of a lack of experience, and it is this factor that is catching Master Tommytucker out at the moment.

When Master Tommytucker is bounding along in front eating fences for breakfast, it all comes easy to him. And he certainly did not look out of place in this Grade 2 contest, or in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Christmas.

Master Tommytucker (left): jumps upsides Who Dares Wins at KemptonCredit: Mark Cranham

However, if he needs to be clever or agile at a fence he seems to come unstuck. It must be maddening for all involved, but horse and rider, Harry Cobden, got up unscathed from the fall so they live to fight another day.

It must be further aggravating that Who Dares Wins, the horse Master Tommytucker beat on his only completed chase start, won this race, while Southfield Stone, a stablemate of the faller, was second. He can clearly mix it with the right sort of horse when completing.

Summing it up succinctly, Cobden said: "He was still running away and just stepped at it - it was the same fence as last time. It's frustrating as he either he stands up and wins or falls. We'll put a line through it and go again."

Master Tommytucker holds entries in the Northern Trust Novices’ Handicap Chase, RSA Chase and Marsh Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, while Who Dares Wins is entered in the latter two, as well as the Ultima Chase.

Alan King, trainer of Who Dares Wins, said: “We had to find out if Cheltenham was on the agenda and I would imagine that’s where he’ll go now. I’d like to go up in trip with him, but we’ll see.”

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