Jewson Novices Steeple Chase 2012

Normally St Patrick’s Day falls slap bang in the middle of the Cheltenham Festival but not this year so the plan is to celebrate it a couple of days early! So on this, the third day of the 2012

Cheltenham Festival, the first race of the day is the Jewson Novices’ Steeple Chase, a very popular Grade 2 listed weight-for-age chase run over 2m 4f.

As it was a new race in 2011, we only have last year to reflect on when the Paul Nolan trained, Noble Prince went into this race as second favourite and battled it out to the end to give AP McCoy his first winner of the festival and his 200th of the season, with favourite Wishful Thinking coming in second, under longtime rival Richard Johnson. Loosen My Load finished third, securing the each-way portion of a €100 treble, for an Irish punter who scooped €4725!!

So, who to look out for in 2012? Donald McCains Peddlers Cross is currently favourite after switching from the Arkle to the Jewson, it’s easy to see why. He’s followed on equally short odds, by Al Ferof – usually ridden by Ruby Walsh so it could be a very exciting race as these two battle out for the win.