Why an encounter with the brilliant Shishkin might help Tamaroc Du Mathan

1.50 Kempton
Close Brothers Pendil Novices' Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4½f | 5yo+ | RTV/ITV4

This is an exceptional year for novice chasers and none has looked better than Shishkin, who has recorded Racing Post Ratings of 170 on his last two starts and that figure would have been good enough to win all bar two of the last ten runnings of the Arkle at Cheltenham.

One of Shishkin's 170 figures was achieved at this course over Christmas, when he ran away with the Wayward Lad, and 13 lengths behind in second that day was Tamaroc Du Mathan.

Tamaroc Du Mathan could not hold a candle to the exceptional winner from two out, but a look through recent history suggests chasing home a superstar can often bring on a horse.

During Frankel's domination in 2011 and 2012, Excelebration and Farhh filled second behind him six times and both went on to show improved form afterwards, bagging four Group 1s.

There are examples over jumps, too. In 2012 and 2013, Cue Card was no match for Sprinter Sacre before improving to become a star and who could forget Sizing John, who finished behind Douvan seven times but ended up winning a Gold Cup.

Tamaroc Du Mathan is a long way off that level, but his Shishkin form was good enough for a standard-setting RPR of 153, and the evidence points to him improving for that encounter.

Ga Law: three from four this seasonCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

Ga Law achieved an RPR of 152 when winning a Grade 2 at Wincanton in November, but has a 5lb penalty and if he can give weight and a beating to Tamaroc Du Mathan he would pay a compliment to another star novice Allmankind, who slammed him at Sandown last time.

The small but select field is made up of the 131-rated Son Of Camas and Coole Cody, who bids to become only the second ten-year-old to land this race after Land Afar in 1997.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Nicholls sweet on Tamaroc

If, in the words of trainer Paul Nicholls, Tamaroc Du Mathan faced "mission impossible" taking on Shishkin on his most recent start, then this race appears to offer him a much more achievable goal.

The combination of soft ground and the exciting Shishkin meant life was always going to be difficult for Tamaroc Du Mathan in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase.

Nevertheless, he equipped himself well enough when finishing second and this Grade 2 is a race Nicholls has farmed over the last decade with five winners, including with Frodon in 2017 and Cyrname a year later.

Paul Nicholls: top trainer has a fine record in the PendilCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He's run really well over fences this season and finished second to Shishkin at Kempton over Christmas," Nicholls said. "It was mission impossible that day on soft going and he'll be much better suited by good ground."

Tackling the front-running rocket Allmankind proved too much of a mission for Ga Law last time in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase, with his trainer Jamie Snowden believing a step back up in trip will suit the five-year-old.

He said: "We gave him a winter break after he finished third in the Henry VIII. Two miles around there was a bit sharp for him and he was taken off his feet by Allmankind.

"He's in great form. The step back up in trip looks the right thing and the nicer ground will help him. He has got a 5lb penalty for his Grade 2 win but hopefully he will run well again."

If you want free tips for Saturday's racing . . .

Paul Kealy's banker at Kempton on Saturday

The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tips on Saturday afternoon

Saturday's free racing tips: five horses to consider putting in your multiples

Spread betting: wise to side with the one horse guaranteed to run well in the Eider

Kempton Placepot: Paul Kealy's perm for a competitive Saturday card

What they say

Evan Williams, trainer of Coole Cody
I want to run him in a handicap at the Cheltenham Festival and he always benefits from a recent run. He doesn't want the ground real deep, so this looked a nice place to start with there being a small field as well. If he can blow away the cobwebs and run a nice race in doing so then I'd be delighted.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Son Of Camas
He's not exactly well in but he jumps fences well and I think he's got a good future as a chaser. He's in good form for the race and if he's going to lose his maiden over fences it might as well come in a good race.
Reporting by Peter Scargill

If you want more insight on Saturday's racing . . .

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Members' Club: is there another Zarkandar hiding in the long grass? We assess the Kempton card

The Saturday Jury: 'I think he's got a brilliant chance' – our panellists preview the weekend (Members' Club)

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3.35 Kempton: does it pay to stick with the stayers or is speed the key to the Close Brothers?

Lingfield: Hollie Doyle out to land Winter Derby after coming out of self-isolation

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