Tips For The Turners Novices Chase 2023

The Turners Novices’ Chase is open to horses aged five years and older and is run on the new course over a distance of two and a half miles.

There are seventeen fences to be jumped and last year saw Bob Olinger make the most of a fall by Galopin Des Champs who appeared to be coasting to victory until sprawling onto the floor after the last fence.

There have now been ten quality renewals of the Marsh Chase and eight of those winners were trained in Ireland. Eight of the previous ten winners had already raced at a previous Cheltenham Festival and seven of the winners had also won a Graded novice chase last time out.

Willie Mullins has a fantastic record in the race having won it four times and last year Samcro became the eldest horse to win it at the age of eight.

Previous Winners of the Turners Novices Chase

Runners To Watch

Below are selected runners who hold entries for Turners Novices Chase 2023.

Karl Hedley provides some recent form notes to help point you in the right direction of identifying the winner.

MIGHTY POTTER – GORDON ELLIOTT

He was incredibly impressive when winning the Grade 1 Novices’ Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival last month and put some eight lengths between himself and Adamantly Chosen. He was quietly fancied to run well in last years’ Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and uncharacteristically pulled up.

He has certainly improved for the switch to fences and he beat likely rival Banbridge by over eighteen lengths in the Drinmore Novices’ Chase back in December. No surprise if he were to confirm that form here.

BANBRIDGE – JOSEPH O’BRIEN

Was a gallant second to El Fabiolo at the Dublin Racing Festival in the Irish Arkle last time out. Doing all of his best work at the finish, he hinted that he could yet again have a say in a race at the Festival.

He stormed to success in the Martin Pipe last season and relished every part of the steep uphill finish. He has already taken a liking to these fences as he won a Grade Two race here back in November. He has an awful lot of work to do to reverse the form with Mighty Potter but he should go well.

APPRECIATE IT – WILLIE MULLINS

Was well fancied to land the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival just last month but found very little for pressure. That was hardly an ideal preparation for this but as a previous Supreme Novice Hurdler he has to command respect at the track.

The last time he attempted this trip was in a bumper at Leopardstown that he won, so maybe a return to it could conjure some improvement. He disappointed badly in the Champion Hurdle last season at the Festival. Even now tackling these fences, there has to be reservations about backing him.

BALCO COASTAL – NICKY HENDERSON

Was outgunned by Gerri Colombe in the Scilly Isle Novices’ Chase at Sandown last month. A brave performance all the same, but Gordon Elliott should have a fair handle on how good that form actually is.

Nicky Henderson won this race with Chantry House a couple of seasons ago, so knows exactly the right type of horse to send into battle here. Went well here in a Grade 2 Hurdle last season but disappointing he hasn’t tried again since over fences and has been kept to flat tracks. May be found wanting up this hill at the end.

STAGE STAR – PAUL NICHOLLS

This looks to be little above his paygrade having been placed in lesser company a couple of runs back. He is a winner of three of his last four races though including a novice handicap over this course and distance at the end of January.

Will sure be there to pick up the pieces if there is any faults over the leading contenders. Will need a lot of luck to go his way.

Ticks The Right Boxes?

2023 Turners Novices Chase Tips & Trends

Mighty Potter has done nothing wrong in two starts this year and has made an effortless switch from hurdles to fences. His last two wins have been emphatic and if in the same mood, he will take some stopping here.

He already has the beating of Banbridge and should be able to confirm that form here despite late support for the latter.

Appreciate It is also a talent on his day and if he were to recapture his best form, he could well provide the main threat.

Both are rated some eight pounds clear of Banbridge who loves it around here, but is often found out at this very top level.

Key trends

• 11 of the last 12 winners contested a Graded novice chase last time out
• 9 of the last 12 winners were trained in Ireland
• 11 of the 12 winners had raced nine times or less over hurdles

Odds With Paddy Power – correct at time of publication

• EVS Mighty Potter
• 10/3 Banbridge
• 7/2 Appreciate It
• 10/1 Balco Coastal
• 10/1 Stage Star
• 14/1 James Du Berlais
• 66/1 McFabulous