The top-class weekend horse racing fixtures keep rolling in, and this week, we have the Grade 1 Tingle Creek to look forward to, as well as the Beachers Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree.

But to get us warmed up for what promises to be another weekend of talking points, we have a tight-knit Grade 2 novices chase from Sandown.

Six runners all in with a chance, but who will come out on top?

Here, I will give you my runner-by-runner betting guide for the Grade 2 Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase and the best online horse racing bookmakers to make your next bet a winning one.

In addition to my runner-by-runner betting guide, you can get all the best online horse racing bookmakers to place your Betfair Esher Novices’ winning bet.

Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase runner by runner betting guide

Now it’s time to take a in-depth look into runners of the Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.

3 Resplendent Grey

• Age: 6
• Weight: 11st 4lb
• Form: 42-112
• Rating: 143
• Jockey: Sean Bowen
• Trainer: Olly Murphy
• Odds: 7/4

Since his switch to chasing, Resplendent Grey has shown that he has a bright future over the larger obstacles.

A win on chase debut in a handicap at Uttoxeter was followed by a good second in Listed company behind Hyland at Chetlenham’s November meeting when they stepped him up to three miles. After another few strides, he may have gotten up.

That was a big leap on anything that Resplendent Grey achieved over hurdles.

His jumping has been solid for most of his two starts, and the step-up in trip last time out brought out even more improvement.

Sandown’s stiff finish should play to his strengths, and he is one of many who have standout chances.

He will be staying on strong in the closing stages.

Improved for the step up to three miles
Track likely to suit his strong finishing style

Untired on very testing ground

Star rating:

Bet on Resplendent Grey with talkSPORT BET

2 Handstands

• Age: 5
• Weight: 11st 4lb
• Form: 1116-F
• Rating: 139
• Jockey: Den Jones
• Trainer: Ben Pauling
• Odds: 5/2

Handstands brought considerable potential to the chasing ranks, having only tasted defeat once over hurdles when well behind Ballyburn in the Grade 1 Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Still, all didn’t go to plan on chase debut.

He was pitched into Grade 2 company and had to concede experience to all of his rivals on the day, and his lack of experience showed on the day as he tipped up three out.

Considering he was well backed into a 7/4 favourite, he must have been showing all the right signs in his work.

He is more than entitled to come on for that run, and he still retains plenty of potential to become a smart novice chaser.

He’s not one to rule out, but it’s hard to back a faller on chase debut, which is thrown straight back into Graded company and at a new trip for the first time.

Smart hurdler

Fell on chase debut

Star rating:

Bet on Handstands with Sky Bet

6 Welcom To Carties

• Age: 6
• Weight: 11st 4lb
• Form: /2128-
• Rating: 130
• Jockey: Harry Cobden
• Trainer: Paul Nicholls
• Odds: 4/1

Interestingly, Paul Nicholls is throwing Welcom To Carties straight into Grade 2 company for his chase debut, which should mean that he is showing all the right signs at home to be able for this test’s the first time out.

If we are honest, chasing must bring a big jump of improvement.

Bar his second in the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster in January, his hurdles form is nothing to get excited about.

This will be a big test of his jumping, especially over the railway fences, and any chinks in his jumping will be found out.

Again, he is one I couldn’t back based on what we have seen him do over hurdles.

A watching brief is advised.

Trainer is confident to start him off in Grade 2 company

His hurdle form is not up there with some of his rivals

Star rating:

Bet on Welcom To Carties with Paddy Power

5 Saint Davy

• Age: 7
• Weight: 11st 4lb
• Form: 9/116-
• Rating: 135
• Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
• Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill & A J O’Neill
• Odds: 13/2

Saint Davy is lightly raced for his age and, as in the past, has shown glimpses that there may be a lot more to come from him in some top handicap hurdles.

From five hurdle runs, he came away with three wins, and if he can transfer that ability to chasing, he is a big player here.

He’s a horse who has always looked like he would improve for a fence, and with the O’Neill stable in flying form this season, he may be able to negate the lack of chasing experience and play a big part in the finish here if the ground doesn’t deteriorate.

No matter the result with Saint Davy today, he is one to keep on the right side of going forward for the rest of the season.

His hurdle form gives him a big chance

Won’t want the ground to deteriorate
Lack of chasing experience

Star rating:

Bet on Saint Davy with Midnite

1 Cadell

• Age: 7
• Weight: 11st 4lb
• Form: 72P-31
• Rating: 135
• Jockey: Derek Fox
• Trainer: Lucinda Russell
• Odds: 17/2

After being badly hampered at the first on chase debut at Perth in September, Cadell did well in finishing as close as he did in the end (beaten just over six lengths).

He returned at the beginning of November and made no mistake.

Having made all and jumped well, bar a slight mistake at the fifth, Cadell pulled away three out to win, going away by 15 lengths.

That was a performance of a horse that is rapidly on the up.

If they choose to force the pace once again, he will likely be left alone on the front end, and I do not see why they will not utilize winning tactics. If that is the case, then his strong staying power may allow him to get his rivals in trouble a long way out.

He is a typical Lucinda Russell horse that takes a big step forward when sent chasing.

Granted, this is a big step up in grade, but he is more than capable of holding his own, and there is a lot of value in his odds right now.

An impressive winner last time out
May be able to dictate the pace

Big step up in grade

Star rating:

Bet on Cadell with bet365

4 Riskintheground

• Age: 7
• Weight: 11st 4lb
• Form: 513354
• Rating: 131
• Jockey: Harry Skelton
• Trainer: Dan Skelton
• Odds: 28/1

Having been well held in his last two runs, it’s hard to make a solid case for Riskintheground.

This task is much more difficult than his last start, so a win from Riskintheground would be a massive shock today, and his chances would diminish drastically on rain-softened ground.

Has plenty of chasing experience

Well beaten in lesser grades
All is best form is on good ground

Star rating:

Bet on Riskintheground with Copybet

Grade 2 Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase verdict

In a race where two make their chase debut, and one comes in here on the back of a fall, it’s hard to know what to expect from them today.

Resplendent Grey is a horse on the up based on his second in Listed company last time out at Cheltenham, but I want to take a chance with CADELL.

Having won as he liked in lesser company last time out, there is every reason to think that, based on how he got the job done that day, there is much more to come from him.

At the prices, he represents a lot of value.

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