'I don't like the race' - King picks Ayr over Aintree as Notachance's National

Alan King does not mind whether it is Flat, hurdles or fences when it comes to winning big Saturday races as Notachance became the latest to scoop a big pot for the stable with success in Warwick’s McCoy Contractors-sponsored Classic Chase.

Since the resumption of racing in the summer, King has plundered three races at Royal Ascot, the November Handicap and the Long Distance Cup on the Flat, while last weekend’s Dipper success joined wins in the Elite Hurdle and Rowland Meyrick as the highlights this jumps season.

And on Saturday, Warwick’s biggest race was added to that list after a smart performance from the improving Notachance.

Ridden by Tom Cannon, he was held in a prominent position and crept closer to the pace. Captain Chaos, sparked by the return of headgear, made a bold bid from the front, but as he began to tire Cannon and Notachance capitalised. The pair hit the front over the penultimate fence, earlier than initially planned, but stayed on bravely to hold off Achille in a battle to the line.

The victory was King's third in the race, following D'Argent in 2008 and West End Rocker three years later.

“He's a progressive young horse and he's really improved this season,” said King. “We were delighted with him at Bangor last time and he seems to have come forward again. If anything went wrong we probably got to the front a little bit too soon. It's a long way from the second-last but he kept finding.”

Notachance: gave Alan King a third win in Warwick's Classic ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cannon, enjoying his biggest winner for the trainer, added: "I've ridden in a few big races now and you realise how hard it is to win a big one, so to come here on a horse I quite fancied in the week and for it to all come together is a big confidence boost. I'm delighted.

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"He was going through the race so easily. I probably got there a bit too soon but the race fell apart around me and he kept going at the same pace."

Unsurprisingly, King is already thinking about another big Saturday target with Notachance in the Scottish National on April 17. William Hill make Notachance a 25-1 chance for Aintree, but King ruled out a Grand National bid.

He said: “We always thought this race would suit him and going forward I'd imagine we'll target the Scottish National. He won't go to Liverpool, I don't like the race and nor do the owners.

“I've had the odd runner and I'll have runners again. I went to Aintree a few years ago and left before the National. It's only a personal thing. I'd have thought Ayr would suit him better and he's only seven. I've always said he's a better horse on better ground.

"It's a long time until then so we'll probably find something but I'll have go home and think about that.”

One horse who is poised for a crack at Aintree is Le Breuil, the 7-2 joint-favourite who caught the eye when staying on well to finish third. The nine-year-old looked revitalised following a wind operation and was clipped to 33-1 (from 40) for the National after his encouraging effort.

“He flew home and the extended trip is exactly what he wants,” said trainer Ben Pauling. “He looks made for the National. But we’ll need to go up the weights and we’ve got another chance before the weights are out. We could go to Haydock for the National Trial [February 20].”

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