'He likes the track and the ground is perfect' - analysis and trainer quotes

Coral Racing Club Novices' Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | ITV3/RTV

Jonbon's already sizeable reputation as a potential chasing superstar will be enhanced if Stage Star can capitalise on an excellent opportunity.

Jonbon beat high-class handicapper West Cork by 16 lengths in a 2m novice at Warwick after West Cork succumbed by 13 lengths to Stage Star over 2m4f at the same venue. Both winners were making their chasing debuts.

There are further comparisons to draw as the pair landed Grade 1 novice hurdles last season, while according to Racing Post Ratings both have improved for a fence.

It is ill advised to treat collateral formlines religiously, but early odds-on quotes about Stage Star, the sole front-runner in this field, are perfectly justified. What price would Jonbon be were he lining up here?

Sebastopol and Wonderwall fall short of this level, but Camprond might yet prove up to Graded company over fences.

Camprond frustrated his supporters with an unseat at the first on his chasing debut at Exeter and is difficult to fancy off the back of that, although we know the engine is there.

He landed a Grade 2 novice and top Punchestown handicap in a productive novice hurdle campaign last term and the ground is more in his favour than some of his rivals.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Star turn

Do not let the usual small field disguise the likely quality in this traditional test of a young chaser, a Grade 2 contest that often leads to Grade 1 success.

The race has not attracted more than seven runners this century, and on ten occasions not even drawn the five needed for place betting.

Yet during that period it has gone to future Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Bobs Worth, Coneygree and Denman, while dual King George VI Chase scorer Clan Des Obeaux also came out on top in 2016.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls might well have won this for the fifth time in 15 years had Pic D'Orhy not fallen four out when in the lead and going well last season and he has every chance of setting the record straight 12 months on.

Paul Nicholls: trainer of Stage StarCredit: Edward Whitaker

Stage Star won the 2m4½f novice hurdle at this meeting in 2021 and returned a month later to land the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle.

He was reportedly suffering from ulcers when pulled up at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring, and after a breathing operation in the summer he looked to put himself firmly back on track with an all-the-way win on his first run over fences at Warwick three weeks ago.

"It's a step up in class so I just want to see him jump well again," Nicholls said.

"It's all a learning curve for him to get more experience at this time of year. He likes the track and he doesn't want it too soft so it's perfect."

What they say

Tom Lacey, trainer of Sebastopol
It's a big ask taking on Stage Star but he's a novice until the end of November and the ground is good so it's worth taking a chance. The ground was greasy at Wincanton last time and he lost his confidence.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Camprond
What happened at Exeter was unfortunate and he's schooled well since then so we hope it won't happen again. He could be decent.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Wonderwall
He was progressive over hurdles, the fall at Huntingdon was not ideal but we decided to give him time after that. It's his first start over fences and a hot race but fingers crossed it will be a nice introduction and he'll run a nice race.
Reporting by David Carr

Friday's race previews:

2.30 Newbury: Paint The Dream holds a class edge but may not have things his own way

3.05 Newbury: Can Champ strike again on comeback? Key quotes for Long Distance Hurdle

3.40 Newbury: Shearer out to settle the score with Padleyourowncanoe in rematch

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