2024 Esher Novices' Chase Tips - Pauling's star the stand-out at Sandown

Jon Vine

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Last updated: 04 Dec 2024

Jon Vine 04 Dec 2024

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Odds and betting predictions for the 2024 Esher Novices' Chase
This Grade Two at Sandown on Friday 6th December
Handstands is our best bet at 3/1

Expired

Sandown races. (Getty)

Before we enjoy a feast of Grade One action on Tingle Creek day, Friday's card at Sandown is headlined by two Grade Two contests. The second of those races is the Esher Novices' Chase, which saw Stay Away Fay fend off Giovinco in its inaugural running 12 months ago.

Here's our free guide to the 2024 Esher Novices' Chase, including our best betting tips.

2024 Esher Novices' Chase Odds

Name	Odds
Resplendent Grey	7/4
Handstands	5/2
Welcome To Cartries	4/1
Cadell	7/1
Saint Davy	8/1
Riskintheground	22/1

2024 Esher Novices' Chase Runners

Heading the betting we find Resplendent Grey, who brings the strong chasing form to the table. Olly Murphy's star won nicely on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter, before staying on gamely to push Hyland all the way to the line at Cheltenham last time out.

Ben Pauling runs Handstands, who fell when trying to work his way into contention on his chasing debut in the Rising Stars. Lucinda Russell will be represented by Cadell, who made it second time lucky over fences with a runaway success at Wetherby last month.

Paul Nicholls will throw Welcome To Cartries straight into this Grade Two for his chasing debut. Saint Davy will also be having his first start over fences in Friday's feature, having won a handicap hurdle at this venue last season.

The sixth and final entrant is Riskintheground, who is comfortably the most experienced chasing in the field, but on the figures, Dan Skelton's seven-year-old has plenty to find.

2024 Esher Novices' Chase Tips

Despite Resplendent Grey's proven form, I'm going to keep the faith in HANDSTANDS (5/2). Ben Pauling's star was the best of these over hurdles, earning a mark of 136 following his victory in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon.

Despite Pauling's worries about the ground, Handstands was backed into firm favouritism ahead of the Rising Stars. A couple of slow early jumps meant that Ben Jones was forced into the worst position on the track, but the favourite was warming to his task on the approach to the third-last flight, where he overjumped slightly and sent Jones crashing to the ground.

On the whole, I thought Handstands jumped well at Wincanton. Running against race-fit rivals on fast ground was always going to be tough, especially as they went a furious gallop throughout. I don't think Handstands would have won, but I fancy he would have finished a very close third had he not taken that sprawling fall.

Pauling has reported that Handstands is A1 following that spill and the rain that's due to fall at Sandown will aid his cause. I remain confident that Jones' mount is the most talented horse in this contest and stepping up to three miles should bring about further improvement.

Live Stream

Visit our Esher Novices' Chase Live Stream page if you plan on watching any of Friday's races at Sandown via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

2024 Esher Novices' Chase

Handstands is my best bet in the 2024 Esher Novices' Chase.

Handstands

2024 Esher Novices' Chase Tips

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