Easing looks good on chase debut Quantitativeeasing was an impressive winner of the Hardings Catering Novices' Chase at Fontwell. Nicky Henderson's charge confirmed himself as a likely player in the novice staying chase division with a flawless exhibition of fencing on Friday afternoon. Just four runners were attracted by the race that did not stop there being a decent gallop in spite of the gluepot conditions. The Gary Moore trained, Fruity O'Rooney and Keith Goldsworthy's Prescelli disputing the early fractions and while the former was always to the fore despite stumbling slightly after the ninth fence, the dangers were always likely to be lurking in behind and Tony McCoy always seemed to be sitting happily aboard the 8-11 favourite. Though Fruity O'Rooney attempted to stretch away with three to jump, Jamie Moore's manoeuvre whilst worthy was to prove fruitless as Quantativeeasing came to challenge with two to take. He put the race in safe keeping with another secure leap at the last and Moore was happy to accept his fate. The pair finished well clear of Straw Bear, who while not totally unconvincing at the chase fences, continues to struggle to reach the levels that he ran up to over the smaller obstacles. Skybet currently have the six-year-old priced at 33-1 for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham with Time For Rupert currently the favourite at 11-4.
