The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase is the second race at Cheltenham on Wednesday, taking place at 14:00, and this Grade 1 race is contested over three miles and one furlong.
Last year’s winner was Lecky Watson at 20/1, with the favourite for the race, Ballyburn, having a very poor showing, coming 5th, eight and a half lengths behind the winner.
The Contenders
The favourite for the race this year is Romeo Coolio, a horse that lots think is an absolute superstar, but it’s his first time stepping up in trip to three miles, and there are questions about his staying, and moreso whether he’ll be too keen early in the race.
⚫️⚪️ Was disappointed to see ROMEO COOLIO get beat at Fairyhouse and this was much more like it, with Sam Ewing making the most of his mount and avoiding a Royal Bond repeat.
— Road To Cheltenham (@RoadCheltenham) December 28, 2024
🤞 The Supreme Novices Hurdle dream is back on… @KtdaRacing!pic.twitter.com/WCkjxpbBWi
It’s the first of three favourites on the day for Gordon Elliott, and 9 of the previous 12 winners of this race were in the top 3 of the betting market.
Second in the market is Final Demand, one that has a questionable form after coming 3rd at Leopardstown last month, behind Kaid D’authie and Western Fold, who are both in this race.
The previously mentioned Kaid D’authie is next up at 5/1, trained by Willy Mullins (same trainer as Final Demand), and is coming off the back of a Grade 1 victory in Leopardstown.
Koktail Divin is Henry De Bromhead’s attempt at a first winner at this year’s festival, the six-year-old came second to Romeo Coolio on his chase debut, before winning the Ballymaloe Relish Rising Stars Beginners Chase last time out, which has been known to produce the eventual winner of the Brown Advisory the following year (Galopin Des Champs, Fact to File).
Wendigo is also 7/1 after coming fifth at Cheltenham last year in the Albert Bartlett. He won easily at Ayr last time out in a three-mile class 3 novice chase, but would need much improvement to contend.
Betting Odds (as of article release)
Romeo Coolio – 5/2
Final Demand – 9/2
Kaid D’authie – 5/1
Koktail Divin – 7/1
Wendigo – 7/1
Kitzbuhel – 12/1
Western Fold – 12/1
Oscar’s Brother – 14/1
Salver – 25/1
Argento Boy – 50/1
Thomas Mor – 50/1
BAR
Author’s Predictions
I am happy to take on Romeo Coolio here, given the questions about his step up in trip and whether he could stay the distance.
I’m not a fan of Final Demand either, and the addition of a tongue-tie after his third-placed finish last time out puts me off even more.
Koktail Divin has done the three-mile distance before, and I think I’m going to make a small play on him, maybe in an each-way lucky 15.
