On Tour touted as each-way wager for Close Brothers Novices’ Chase

David Metcalf | March 14, 2016

On Tour ticks plenty of boxes in Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase

On Tour looks on a handy mark and a lively outsider in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase which brings proceedings to a close on day one of the Cheltenham Festival (17:30).

The Evan Williams trained gelding showed progressive form over hurdles last season, rattling rattle-up a hat-trick of successes and also running well in some ultra-competitive handicaps.

However, connections always maintained that the eight-year-old would come into his own when going chasing and On Tour looked one to keep onside when making a winning debut over fences at Exeter back in November.

Form of Exeter win extremely strong

On Tour only had to be driven out to beat Otago Trail by a cosy 1/2 a length, and the runner-up is a well-regarded sort who has won twice since and is now rated 154.

That gives the form a solid look, and suggests On Tour is potentially very well-treated off a mark of 138.

The son of Croco Rouge has since gone on to score in similar fashion at Carlisle when value for more than the 3/4 length winning margin, before disappointing last time out when well beaten at Doncaster.

On Tour was never travelling in the latter, but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back having since been given a break to freshen-up.