Jewson Novices Handicap Chase Fixed Odds Betting Preview

If forced to nominate one horse that I believe is grossly overpriced in the ante-post market for a race at this year's Cheltenham Festival, I'd have to put forward See You Sometime, who looks a steal at 10-1 with VC Bet for Thursday's Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase (2.00). Despite finding the three-mile trip a shade too far in the highly competitive Racing Post Chase at Kempton last month, the ten-year-old ran a cracking race for a novice, finishing just over twelve lengths fifth to the in-form Farmer Jack. Get fifty pounds free when you open an account and bet with VCBet!An élan for jumping fences is, to state the obvious, a crucial factor at Cheltenham, an area in which See You Sometime scores highly. For it was his sure-footed jumping which enabled him to collect in a Grade 2 at Windsor in December where he gave the classy My Will 5lb and a half-a-length beating. A reproduction of that level of form will make See You Sometime hard to beat over what looks his optimum trip (2m 5f). Current favourite for this Listed event is Zeta's River, who scored over three miles at Newbury last time. The seven-year-old travelled well throughout the race and quickened up in the straight when Timmy Murphy pulled the trigger, eventually coming home half-a-length ahead of Harrycone Lewis. Although the Martin Pipe-trained gelding is unexposed and potentially well weighed under a 4lb penalty, it is worth bearing in mind that that race was full of out-of-form performers, and he will have to have improved significantly to trouble See You Sometime in my estimations, while Liverpool Echo looks best of the rest. The combination of trainer Martin Pipe, owner David Johnson and jockey Timmy Murphy can enjoy success later on the card, however, with Ravenswood, who looks a blot on the handicap in the Pertemps Final (5.20) and must be backed at 5-1. The eight-year-old was having his first run since finishing fourth in this race off a 6lb higher mark in 2003 when coming home over fourteen lengths firth to The Bajan Bandit at Haydock. He will meet that rival on 8lb better terms on Thursday and will also appreciate the projected better ground, as it was soft at Haydock, which wouldn't have been ideal. It is clear that Ravenswood has been trained with this race firmly in mind all season and he goes into this race fresh, well handicapped, and carrying plenty of stable confidence. Attorney General and The Dark Lord, fourth and sixth respectively in the race won by Supreme Serenade at Sandown last month, both have decent form on this course and should give good accounts. The Dark Lord is now paying the price for two smooth victories on this course earlier in the season, as he is currently 8lb higher than his last winning mark, while Attorney General's consistency has seen him rocket up the weights. He is off a mark 14lb higher than when narrowly beaten by Korelo over this course and distance in January and may have to settle for a place again. Betting verdict - (Jewson Novices' Chase) 1pt e/w See You Sometime @ 10/1 (VC Bet)(Pertemps Final) 2pts win Ravenswood @ 5/1 (Blue Square, Paddy Power, Sky Bet, Stanley Bet, Total Bet & VC Bet)Get fifty pounds free when you open an account and bet with VCBet!