The one race you do not want to miss as Lisp bids to claim first chase success

Download The Racing Post App Novices Chase (Bonus Series Race) | 2m1f | 4yo + | Sky

Why is it interesting?

Classy course winner Lisp makes his second start over fences in this novices' feature, the second of a series of five qualifying races for Plumpton's Cheltenham bonus scheme

The series offers the connections of any horse that wins one of the nominated novice chases at the track the opportunity to scoop a £60,000 bonus if they go on to win any chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The bonus was last won in 2006 by Voy Por Ustedes, who scored at Plumpton before going on to triumph in the Arkle.

Clerk of the course Mark Cornford said: "The bonus scheme helps Plumpton attract genuine festival contenders, and provides Plumpton racegoers with a great opportunity to see racing’s future stars in action.

"It is a fabulous cash bonus for owners and trainers on top of all the other benefits of winning at jump racing's ultimate festival. It also rewards the dedication and hard work of the stable staff of the winning trainer."

Lisp, who ran well to be third behind Torpillo on chasing debut at Warwick last month, receives a handy 5lb from main rival De Plotting Shed, who had subsequent winner Mellow Ben in arrears when scoring for the first time over fences at Newton Abbot in August.

What do the stats say?

Odds-on favourites have been successful in all five previous runnings of the contest, most notably Top Notch (2-5) in 2016 and Kalashnikov (1-7) a year ago.

Gary Moore, who fields Espion De Saflo and Flaminger, has won it twice previously with Chris Pea Green (2014) and Violet Dancer (2015).

What do connections say?

Tom Best, assistant to Suzy Best, trainer of De Plotting Shed
He enjoyed the softer ground when winning well at Newton Abbot and the form has been franked since. We've Lisp to beat but we expect him to be bang there.

Gary Moore, trainer of Espion De Saflo and Flaminger
We all have Lisp to beat but I've never been afraid of one horse so we're giving it a go. Espion De Saflo will have to jump better than he did on his chasing debut at Lingfield if he is to take a hand but he should be sharper this time. Flaminger is making his debut over fences but has schooled well at home and as he's only a four-year-old he gets a massive weight allowance which will help him.

Tom Bellamy, rider of Lisp
Lisp had a nice run round at Warwick the other day and this doesn't look as strong a race. He's come out of that in great form and I schooled him at home last week and he went nicely. Obviously, De Plotting Shed is a good horse but he has to give us 5lb and this looks a good opportunity.

Zoe Davison, trainer of O'Rahilly
It's a tough race for his first go over fences but he has schooled nicely at home and hopefully can put in a clear round. We're running here as there are hardly any novice handicap chases around at the moment and we've put the cheekpieces on to help him concentrate.

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