The Rehearsal Chase (Saturday 2 December) is a Listed Handicap Chase run over 2 miles 7 furlongs and 91 yards at Newcastle, which is sponsored by the At The Races TV Company. In the last 6 years, the race has been won three times by the now retired Hey Big Spender, whilst last year’s winner Otago Trail actually beat this year’s impressive Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai.
Rehearsal Chase Trends
- Winners have carried between 11-3 and 11-12, with 3 of the 6 winners carrying 11-12
- Winners have been rated between 140 and 155, with the last 3 winners rated 145 or 146
- Winners have been aged 6 to 11
- SP’s have ranged from 5/2 to 12/1
- Colin Tizzard has trained 3 winners
- Brendan Powell has ridden 2 winners
Rehearsal Chase Contenders
Rock Gone
Lightly-raced 9-year-old who ran one of his better races when second at Ascot in a big handicap last time. However, that form has been let down since, and he’s had a few chances off similar marks. He’s also got less weight than a typical winner.
Sam Red
Won his last two runs in 4 and 5 runner fields and, though this 6-year-old looks to be improving, his overall form doesn’t look overly exciting. Beware The Bear. Rattled up a four-timer in 2016, with the last of those wins coming off a mark of 136. Handicapper took a dim view of that though, and he’s struggled since off a much higher-rating.
Wakanda
Won the 2015 renewal, but failed to make much impact last year off a higher-mark. However, last year’s race proved to be a very good renewal, and he’s not without a chance now the handicapper has relented a bit.
Yala Enki
Would be representing last year’s winning trainer Venetia Williams, and already proven that he’s capable of carrying big-weights to victory in handicap chases. Only a few pounds above last winning mark, though may need heavy ground to be at his best.
O O Seven
Classy sort who was good enough to finish fifth in last year’s RSA Chase, and would be a really interesting contender off top-weight having won on all 3 of his seasonal debuts so far. Also won at Musselburgh last season, which suggests that the long journey from Seven Barrows shouldn’t bother him.
Bishops Road
Handicapper crucified this one after he won the 2016 Betfred Grand National Trial, but he has relented since, and Bishops Road is now much lower than when a decent fourth in last year’s renewal. Should again account for Wakanda, who is 5lb better off with this year, and has a similar rating and weight to the last two winners.
Rehearsal Chase Summary
O O Seven is a classy individual who could find further improvement this year, and it would be no surprise if he became the fourth top-weight in the last 7-years to claim this prize. However, preference is for Bishops Road, who should find this year’s contest easier than last year’s after being shown some leniency for the handicapper. He’s also a nice stats-fit, whilst his trainer Kerry Lee is brilliant at finding the right races for her staying chasers.
Rehearsal Chase Tip: Bishops Road