From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Novices' Chase
(Registered as The November)
Grade 2, Cheltenham 13:40
£52,000 added, 4yo plus,
1m 7f 199y, Class 1  
Saturday 13th November 2021

QuinnBet

1 Third Time Lucki 2/5F
2 Sebastopol 25/1
3 Mick Pastor 5/1
4 ran Distances: 4¾l, 24l
Time: 3m 55.51s (slow by 3.51s)

Third Time Lucki was not quite as exuberant as he had been when winning on his chasing debut last month but maintained his unbeaten record over fences for trainer Dan Skelton.

“Harry said he felt fantastic and that he’s a horse with a lot of natural pace,” said Skelton, whose charge was quoted at 8-1 with MansionBet for the Arkle Trophy in March.

“During my apprenticeship with Paul (Nicholls), Ruby (Walsh) always used to say there’s a difference between speed and pace and in a race pace is so important because you can go your speed very comfortably, which is what he can do.

“Going down the hill Harry started getting him under control, and then from three out to two out also. After the last he pricked his ears and got lonely, it was harder work today visually and while it is trainer chat he was actually fitter for the first day than today.

“I did a lot with him for the first day because I didn’t want to have him too fresh, so I pressed him a bit. I trusted him between then and now and I think he jumped the last and just had a blow.”

As for future plans, Skelton may now have a change of heart.

“Originally the plan was to go to the Henry VIII after this, but whether that will happen now, I don’t know. I need to talk to Mike (Newbould, owner). I could wait for Kempton, which I know is a Grade Two and Sandown a Grade One but the ground will have a big bearing – he won’t run on soft or heavy,” said Skelton.

“We could even wait for Doncaster (Lightning Novices’ Chase) and then come back here. Appreciate It is top of the (Arkle) market and we’ve got to see what he does. We want to go to the Arkle and hopefully it all works out.

“I was set in my mind to go Sandown and Warwick (Kingmaker) after today, but having watched that I just like the idea of him super fresh. I can do loads with him at home and the best route might be Kempton and then here. Maybe.”

QuinnBet

From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Novices' Chase
£52,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 78y, Class 2
4 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Third Time Lucki 6 11-5 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 2/5F
2 4¾ Sebastopol 7 11-2 Tom Lacey Aidan Coleman 25/1
3 24 Mick Pastor 5 11-2 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 5/1
FELL Captain Tom Cat 6 11-7 Dr Richard Newland Charlie Hammond 6/1