Copybet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase: Runner by runner betting guide

Copybet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase runner by runner betting guide

Now it’s time to take a in-dept looking into runners of the Copybet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.

1 Gidleigh Park

Age: 6
Weight: 11st 10lb
Form: /1116
Rating: 138
Jockey: Bryan Carver
Trainer: Harry Fry
Odds: 11/10

Gidleigh Park was sent into the 2024 Cheltenham Festival as one of the UK’s main hopes of a win.

He came into the Festival with three back-to-back wins over hurdles and a horse who looked on the up, but not all went to plan at Cheltenham.

Having taken a keen hold in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, he never really got into the race and was a well-beaten sixth in the end. But, the age-old saying “whatever he does over hurdles is a bonus” comes to mind when you think of Gidleigh Park.

This big, strong son of Walk In The Park looks like the type that will thrive over a fence, and we should be about to see him take another big step forward this season.

Given his exploits over hurdles last season and with a perfect two from two first-time-out, Gidleigh Park should be hard to beat today, even given he must give weight all around.

Talented hurdler
Unbeaten first time out
Looks every bit a chaser

Not race fit

Star rating:

Bet on Gidleigh Park with talkSPORT BET

4 Bad

Age: 5
Weight: 10st 12lb
Form: 3200-2
Rating: 126
Jockey: Ben Jones
Trainer: Ben Pauling
Odds: 7/2

Bad has to be one of the most frustrating horses in training.

There have been many times when he traded at short odds in running, only to somehow find a way not to get his head in front.

The same thing happened again on his chase debut over course and distance when Bhaloo ran him out of it.

For me, that was his chance to finally get off the mark in the UK. With this much better opposition than he faced last time, it had to make a case for him to turn over Rare Edition, let alone Gidleigh Park.

His best form has come at Ascot
Will be race fit
Gets weight from all bar one of his rivals

Has yet to win in the UK

Star rating:

Bet on Bad with BetMGM

2 Rare Edition

Age: 7
Weight: 11st 9lb
Form: 310-01
Rating: 137
Jockey: David Bass
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon
Odds: 7/2

Having made himself into quite a useful novice hurdler in 2023, Rare Edition found life tough in the open company last season.

Rare Edition managed to win at his Kempton, where he was a perfect two from two, but when he stepped up into graded company, he struggled.

This season, he made a perfect start to his chasing career at Uttoxeter, holding off the rallying Rambo T, who has since gone on to win.

He should have learned a lot from that run and should prove the most significant danger to Gidleigh Park.

Won on chase debut
Have race fitness on his side

Need to improve once again to get to Gidleigh Park’s level

Star rating:

Bet on Rare Edition with Spreadex

3 Riskintheground

Age: 7
Weight: 11st 5lb
Form: 151335
Rating: 133
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Odds: 13/2

Riskingtheground has been on the go since May, so you will have no fitness worries with him.

He has proven a good money spinner for the Skeletons by winning four of his last eight runs but was well beaten in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase on his previous start.

Although a faller hampered him, it had little bearing on his finishing position.

He will be dropped out of the back, and if the race were to fall apart, he is more than capable of picking the pieces here.

He’s not one to entirely rule out, but he would be a shock winner.

Has had plenty of chase experience
Have race fitness on his side

Has been on the go since May
Needs a career best to beat the favourite

Star rating:

Bet on Riskintheground with VBET

5 Bucksy Des Epeires

Age: 5
Weight: 10st 7lb
Form: 24F92-
Rating: 121
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Odds: 10/1

Bucksy Des Epeires is the type that Venetia Williams does so well with, and he is one that you need to keep on the right side of going forward, but this may be too much for his first start over fences.

He didn’t disgrace himself over hurdles with a win and two seconds six runs for Venetia.

Chasing was always going to be his game, and even though this is a big ask first time out, it wouldn’t be a shock if he outran his odds here, given his weight concession.

He’s a work in progress for the season ahead.

Venetia Williams does well with horses like him
In receipt of a lot of weight

This may come too soon
First run of the season

Star rating:

Bet on Bucksy Des Epeires with Betfred

Copybet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase verdict

If he is to scale the heights that we think he is capable of, then GIDLEIGH PARK should have too much in the locker for his rivals today.

This son of Walk In The Park has always looked like he would excel as a chaser, and today should be the start of a successful chasing career.

Rare Edition should chase him home but don’t rule out Bucky Des Epeires running a big race.

About the author

Andrew Halligan

My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.

You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).

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