Key questions as Getaway Trump and Al Dancer clash in quality novice chase

Squareintheair.com Novices' Chase | 2m, 4yo+ | RTV

Will Getaway Trump move be vindicated?

Getaway Trump improved at a rate of knots in the spring and won strong races at Ayr’s Scottish National meeting and at Sandown’s last fixture of the season.

His decisive win from Harambe under top weight at Sandown suggested he would have had a future over hurdles, but the decision to go straight over fences now that the ground has eased is understandable and the small field should offer an ideal introduction.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: “He’s done everything right at home. Like most of mine, he’ll improve on whatever he does first time out, but he likes a bit of cut and should enjoy the ground.”

How will Al Dancer take to fences?

Al Dancer looked to be heading right for the top when gaining a stylish fourth successive win over hurdles in the Betfair Hurdle, which had been switched to Ascot from Newbury.

However, he ended the season on a low by finishing only tenth when joint-favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and has a BHA hurdle mark 4lb lower than Getaway Trump.

That defeat has done nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, however, for Dai Walters' grey has always been looked upon as a future chaser and he has been exciting everyone involved with him at home.

Al Dancer in splendid isolation en route to his dominant Betfair Hurdle successCredit: Getty Images

Twiston-Davies said: "We all saw what he was capable of over hurdles and he's a big, scopey horse who was always going to make a chaser. All has gone fine with him at home and I'm excited to be getting going with him over fences."

Can Not That Fuisse build on his chase debut?

Not That Fuisse was no match for Al Dancer when the pair met in a handicap hurdle last December and ended the season with a fall at the Cheltenham Festival, but he showed he was none the worse for the tumble with an encouraging second at Uttoxeter on his chasing debut.

Dan Skelton was pleased with that, and while acknowledging the strength of Friday's opposition, he expects Not That Fuisse to run well.

He said: "He was a three-time winner over hurdles and he ran really well on his reappearance over fences at Uttoxeter, which will stand him in good stead. We are taking on three real good opponents, albeit one with a double penalty, but I'm very happy with him and we can go there with no pressure on us."

Can Caius Marcius put his experience to good use?

Nicky Richards is all too aware of the task four-time summer chase winner Caius Marcius faces under a double penalty against such strong opposition, but he hopes the eight-year-old's wealth of previous experience will help level the playing field and is due to give him a break soon anyway.

Richards said: "He's had a grand summer and this was about the only option for him before we put him away for a winter break. He seems absolutely fine, and although it looks a bit of an uphill struggle in that company with a double penalty, he's the most experienced in the field.

"He wouldn't want a lot of rain, but it's the first chase of the new season so hopefully the ground will be all right."

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