2023 Denman Chase Tips
The first of two Grade Twos on Betfair Hurdle day at Newbury is the Denman Chase. This three-mile chase is named after a former winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and it's Denman's former trainer, Paul Nicholls' who will saddle the favourite ahead of Saturday's renewal.
We've taken a look at the confirmed field for the 2023 Denman Chase and picked out our best betting tips.
2023 Denman Chase Odds
*Odds taken on 9/2/23*
2023 Denman Chase Entries
Hitman went into the King George VI Chase at Kempton on the back of an excellent victory at Haydock. Sadly, Paul Nicholls' charge failed to fire at Kempton, pulling up just before the turn for home, but that hasn't stopped the bookies from listing Hitman as their firm favourite to land this Grade Two.
Eldorado Allen upset Royale Pagaille and Clan Des Obeaux to win this race 12 months ago and Joe Tizzard's charge has run well in defeat three times so far this season. Sitting third in the market is Venetia Williams' Fanion D'Estruval, who proved his stamina for three miles with a decent third under top-weight in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby over Christmas.
Kim Bailey could run the classy Does He Know, who will relish the prospect of good ground at Newbury. Aidan Coleman and Anthony Honeyball will team up with Sam Brown, a well-beaten fifth when last seen in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree. Amy Murphy's Kalashnikov and Philip Hobbs' Zanza complete the field.
2023 Denman Chase Tips
Hitman has come close to landing decent prizes on a number of occasions, placing in Grade One company on four occasions. Paul Nicholls' six-year-old should be up to winning this sort of race. However, the fact remains that Hitman has never won at Graded level and he was pulled up on his only previous start over three miles.
Four of the six rivals who oppose the favourite have been fitted with headgear for the first time. One who hasn't is DOES HE KNOW, who trashed his rivals to win the Grade Two Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot last season.
Following an early fall on his reappearance at Kelso, Does He Know ran in the Jewson Handicap at Cheltenham. David Bass' mount started slowly under 12-00 that day, but soon worked his way into a prominent position. Does He Know got a little outpaced coming down the hill, but when his stamina kicked in, Kim Bailey's eight-year-old pounded up the hill to claim an impressive two-length victory.
That win may have only come in handicap company, but Does He Know was giving both Eva's Oskar and Back On The Lash over a stone that day and both have come out and won since. Does He Know does his best work on good ground and he could be an excellent value bet in this open Grade Two.
