L’ami Serge can scoop success for Henderson ahead of Bristol De Mai in JLT

David Metcalf | March 15, 2016

L’ami Serge value in JLT Novices’ Chase

L’ami Serge disappointed last time out, but looks decent value to bounce back and land the JLT Novices’ Chase which opens proceedings on day three of the Cheltenham Festival (13:30).

The Nicky Henderson trained gelding was a top-class novice hurdler last season when landing the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle and finishing an unlucky in-running fourth to Douvan in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at at this meeting.

L’ami Serge looked the sort who would make up make up into a cracking chaser, and that view was confirmed when he made all on his debut over the larger obstacles at Plumpton to win unchallenged by 27 lengths from Doctor Harper.

Form of Plumpton win looks strong

Apart from jumping slightly left on occasions, the six-year-old never put a foot wrong and the form looks strong.

The runner-up went on to be beaten five lengths into second behind Garde La Victoire at Ludlow, who is a leading contender for this, before sauntering to an easy success at Leicester.

L’ami Serge went on to follow-up in good style at Wetherby, before running below par and finishing a well-beaten second when sent off long odds-on for a Grade 2 contest at Warwick.

That run was simply too bad to be true, and judged on previous efforts L’ami Serge has what it takes to win this.