Alcala earnt his place among Paul Nicholls’ star novices
after winning Newton Abbot’s feature newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase (2:45)
in a convincing manner.
The seven-year-old jumped well and stayed close to the lead
before making his move late on. Eyeballing Phillip Hobbs’ Brother Tedd over the
last, his rival made a crucial mistake handing the victory to Sam
Twiston-Davies’ mount.
It’s his second victory on the trot following an easy 33
length canter at this track only 11 days ago.
“We’re really happy with him," said Nicholls.
"I thought with the 7lb penalty
was worth taking a chance on,
“They seemed to go pretty quick, and he jumped nicely. The
ground is the most important thing for him.
“We have the option now of running in a nice handicap or
keep him novice chasing.”
The last time Paul Nicholls won the RSA Chase was with Denman in 2007, he won the Gold Cup the following year.
The Cheltenham Festival may not have his optimum quick
ground, but he may take his chance in the RSA Chase which was won by Might Bite
in 2017.
Alcala may feature in some of jump racing’s leading races throughout
the summer period.
Nicholls hailed the prize money on offer at the Devon track,
Alcala won the race with prize money in excess of £14,000.
“It’s a credit to jump racing to put on that sort of prize
money at this time of the year,” said the Ditcheat maestro.
“You don’t mind supporting them, and there were some nice
horses on show here.
“With novice races in the summer it’s worth bringing some
good horses out for.”
Pre-race favourite Brother Tedd finished second, whilst Alan
King’s Midnight Cowboy finished third.
Irish Cavalier, who won the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at
Haydock, was pulled-up sharply through the race.
Rebecca Curtis’ eight-year-old contested the 2017 Cheltenham
Gold Cup but failed to finish in the Festival’s feature race.
Whilst pre-race favourite Ballybolley was withdrawn from the
race in the morning by trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.
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