Fox to shine as stars drop out

NatioNal HuNt fans may have been denied the chance of a Christmas cracker in today’s Betfair tingle Creek Chase, but they could still witness a star performer in FOX NORTON (Sandown, 2.55).

the disappointing 11th-hour absence of the Willie Mullinstrained powerhouses Douvan and last year’s winner un De Sceaux has robbed this afternoon’s feature of much of its glitz and the potential for a mouth-watering contest.

it is a case of ‘deja dou’ for Douvan who also sidestepped last year’s renewal late on.

However, since it is the season of goodwill to all men, it is perhaps prudent to concentrate on those who are happy to contest one of jump racing’s most iconic prizes rather than the stayaways. there is little doubt Fox Norton would have provided a severe test for Douvan anyway.

two Grade one wins in the spring confirmed that Colin tizzard’s seven-year- old is a class act over fences and those successes provided a smidgen of compensation for the narrow defeat by Special tiara in the Champion Chase.

an eight-length comeback win at Cheltenham backed the view that Fox Norton remains on the upgrade as he routinely dispensed with some useful rivals on ground which found out his rivals that day.

the selection has the ability to jump with precision at pace and travel strongly over the minimum trip. He also has the stamina to win over two and a half miles — attributes that mark him as a formidable rival in races at today’s trip.

With an unbeaten record of 4-4 on right-handed tracks, Politologue looks the main danger, especially as he seems to have become a more tractable proposition on the evidence of his smooth Exeter comeback.