Cheltenham New Years Day review: Cheltenham Pony Club Raceday Novices' Chase (Registered As The Dipper Novices' Chase) (Grade 2) (Class 1, 2m 5f)

A competitive 6 runner novices’ chase won by a gallant, largely consistent, locally trained horse, Champion Court. He had enjoyed a satisfactory season so far with, a good victory at Aintree followed by a useful second to Grands Crus, giving him 5lbs, and then a decent run behind two talented staying novices over 3m last time, where he had excuses.

Not fancied by many, Champion Court went off a 6/1 shot here, but with the reversion to former tactics those odds were made to look silly. Taking the lead from the off he jumped boldly throughout and was never headed. His tendency to hang right resurfaced from his hurdling days which gave Solix and his supporters some hope but in truth he never looked like winning. In defeating some promising and previously exciting types this looked a good performance. With a view to the Festival his trainer states he has no intention of taking on Grands Crus again so his participation in the RSA is in doubt. If he were to run then there must be a worry about him staying the 3m, particularly running from the front. It appeared he lacked the stamina of Join Together on his last attempt at that trip and it is likely there are others who will finish the 3m with more relish. I would much rather see Champion Court running over 2 1/2 miles in the Jewson where he could set off in front and not worry about conserving stamina, it seems the ideal trip at this point in time.

In the Jewson I wouldn't be sure that Champion Court, who was receiving 3lbs and had an easy time of it up front, would confirm the form with the second, Solix. Nicky Henderson’s French import was always going to make a chaser on looks, but on his first chasing start in this country he jumped poorly on the whole, only showing any propensity for chasing at the last couple of obstacles. His second attempt at Cheltenham was far better. He was hardly exuberant and took a few jumps to get into a rhythm, but he crossed his fences efficiently albeit getting in close on occasion. Both times he won easily, but this was a step up in class and Solix dealt with it well. Again not jumping with much fluency to start with, he jumped better through the race and challenged the winner all the way to the line. He looks well suited by the trip and is sure to improve his jumping again with more experience. I see him as a live candidate for the Jewson and the 16/1 still available is worth taking.

Invictus, 8 lengths behind the front two in third, was a disappointment. Having looked so good on his previous two starts this season, especially at Plumpton where he showed an impressive turn of foot, many expected far more from King's charge. He didn't jump or travel with the same zest this time round and he was keen early, but the race was run to suit and whatever way you look at the run it was a blow to his festival chances. It is possible he wasn't himself at the Prestbury venue and he did lose a shoe early on and was reportedly sore afterwards, so if you can put a line through this then he would still be in the mix for a race in March.

An even bigger disappointment for many was Sonofvic. At Newbury he had made Grands Crus work for his victory and he did jump well. However he had stayed on late that day and it did not suggest a drop in trip would suit. The trainer disagreed and tried him in this decent field but it was plainly the wrong race for him. Seemingly unsuited by the undulating track, he was outpaced early and his jumping was sticky at best throughout. On a flat track at 3m he could still show that he is a talented staying chaser but I don't believe he will make a Cheltenham horse at any trip.