Elegant Escape books Kempton ticket with Newbury success

Elegant Escape put up a gutsy front-running display to open his account over fences in the Ladbrokes John Francome Novices' Chase at Newbury.

Second on his two previous tries over the bigger obstacles, Elegant Escape justified trainer Colin Tizzard's hopes with an improved effort from four older rivals.

Harry Cobden had the five-year-old jumping well from the outset and was happy to have Fountains Windfall for company.

There was still all to play for when Fountains Windfall came down at the third-last fence and that left multiple winner Black Corton as the big danger.

However, Elegant Escape (5-1) was more efficient at the last and plugged on gamely to land the Grade Two spoils by three-quarters of a length.

Tizzard will now look at the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton over Christmas for the winner, who was second to budding superstar Samcro in a point-to-point in Ireland in April last year.

"He jumps and jumping is the name of the game. It was unfortunate what happened to Fountains Windfall and you don't know what the result would have been, but he does stay," said the Dorset trainer.

"He jumped immaculately all the way round. He is a beautiful young horse and the rest were older. He stayed on lovely and it was a good performance. He is a lovely big staying chaser.

"I thought he looked immaculate and the best he had ever looked."

He added: "I suppose there is a very good chance he will have an entry in the Kauto Star and there is no reason not to.

"In his two runs before, his jumping has been immaculate. He was good today, long or short. He was a bit tight going into the last, but he snapped up. It was a lovely performance and he found more (when challenged), which was just the job."