The Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Saturday 9 February) is regarded as one of the major trials for the Arkle Chase. The race takes place at Warwick Racecourse and is run over 2 miles and 54 yards, with runners having to jump 12 fences.
The race was first run in 2006 and has been won by notable horses such as Flagship Uberalles and Voy Por Ustedes, who both went on to win the Arkle Chase.
Kingmaker Novices’ Chase 10-Year-Trends
- Winners have been aged either five, six, seven, or eight
- Weights ranging from 10-9 to 11-7 have been carried to victory
- Winners have been rated between 137 and 161
- Five of the last 10 favourites have won
- SP’s of the winners have ranged from 2/5 to 8/1
Kingmaker Novices’ Chase 2019 Main Contenders
Kalashnikov
Rated 154 over hurdles after winning last year’s Betfair Hurdle and is already a 152-rated chaser after just three runs over fences. Won the first two of those races in good style at odds-on and then wasn’t disgraced when beaten by Dynamite Dollars at Kempton. The form-book suggests he’s slightly better on left-handed courses and a return to going that way round should suit him here. He also doesn’t have to carry any penalties and will be tough to beat.
Dalila Du Seuil
Won three of her 10 hurdle races in France up to November 2017 and then defied an absence of over 400 days when making a winning chasing debut for new trainer Harry Fry. She did only beat a 128-rated horse at Exeter but has plenty of scope for improvement. This 149-rated mare also gets 7lbs from Kalashnikov and that gives her every chance at the weights.
Whatswrongwithyou
Reached a peak of 139 over hurdles but his defeats of the useful OK Corral and Rockpoint suggest he has the potential to rate higher. But, having only made his chasing debut at the age of eight, he may not have the scope for improvement of some of his younger rivals. Could easily see him running well in third, which would potentially set him up nicely for a handicap at the Cheltenham Festival.
Destrier
Rated over 20lbs inferior to Kalashnikov over hurdles but has taken well to chasing with wins in a novices’ handicap chase and a novice chase earning him a rating of 142. He was also sired by Voix Du Nord, who was also the father of the Vibrato Valtat who won the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase in 2015. His trainer Dan Skelton also likes to have winners at his local track.
Kingmaker Novices’ Chase 2019 Summary & Betting Tip
Kalashnikov sets a very high standard, and the likes of Whatswrongwithyou and Destrier have quite a bit to find with him on both their hurdles and chase form. However, conceding 7lb to Dalila Du Seuil may be a tougher task than the betting forecast suggests. Harry Fry’s recent ex-French recruit has lots of scope for improvement and looks the value-bet in the race.
Kingmaker Novices’ Chase Tip
Dalila Du Seuil