Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase Is On Leslingtaylor's Agenda

Impressive Aintree winner Leslingtaylor could bid to maintain a perfect start to his chasing career in the £45,000 Grade Two Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase (1.10pm) over two miles at Cheltenham on Sunday, November 18, day three of The Open.

The John Quinn-trained five-year-old, winner of the Grade Three Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in May, made an eye-catching chase debut when drawing seven lengths clear for an eased down victory over Marodima in the Listed intercasino.co.uk Molyneux Novices' Chase over the same distance of two miles at Aintree on October 27.

Malton-based Quinn revealed this morning: 'We will look to make an entry for Leslingtaylor in the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase, so at this stage he is a possible runner.

'If it is too soft he wouldn't run as he doesn't want it heavy, but that's rather unlikely. We will have a look nearer the time but it would be a good race to win and it is on the agenda.

'He jumped well at Aintree and did it nicely. He has come out of that race well and is in good nick.'

Leslingtaylor could lock horns with the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Tramantano, who himself made a winning chase debut in the Tiger Developments Novices' Chase over the course and distance on October 19.

Both geldings defeated the Paul Nicholls-trained Marodima, each conceding 9lb to that rival. With Tramantano's margin of victory a narrower length and a quarter, a fascinating showdown is in prospect.

Last year's renewal of the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase went to the Philip Hobbs-trained Fair Along, who went on to finish runner-up to My Way De Solzen in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at The Festival in March, the same position filled by Seebald behind Moscow Flyer after he took the 2001 running.

The Irish raider Accordion Etoile, trained by Paul Nolan, took the 2005 renewal of the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase and ended that campaign with victory in the Grade One Swordlestown Cup at Punchestown.

Sunday's feature contest on a fantastic six-race card is the £100,000 Grade Three Greatwood Hurdle (2.55pm) over an extended two miles, which is race eight in the Order Of Merit, and Quinn has two classy hurdlers entered.

Pevensey, a winner of two from four starts over hurdles and successful in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap on the Flat at Royal Ascot in June, is more likely to take his chance in the Greatwood Hurdle than stablemate King's Quay.

Quinn continued: 'King's Quay's target is the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton but Pevensey might run in the Greatwood Hurdle providing we get some rain. He had his day in the summer and that was grand, so hopefully now he can win something nice over hurdles. He's in good form and I'm happy with him.'

The Open at Cheltenham commences on Countryside Day, Friday, November 16, with an entertaining day of sport, while the meeting's showcase event is the £120,000 Grade Three Paddy Power Gold Cup over an extended two and a half miles on Saturday, November 17.

Going

After five millimetres of rain yesterday, the going remains Good (watered) on the chase and hurdle courses and Good to Firm on the Cross Country course (watering).