Walkon gives punters hopes of a prosperous end to 2011

NEWBURY provides a fitting end to a good year of racing when it hosts the Betfred Goals Galore Novices’ Chase (2.05) this afternoon and although there are only five runners going to post, it is an absolute cracker.

The Nick Williams-trained For Non Stop sets the standard based on his effort at Cheltenham last time where he pushed Al Ferof all the way, being beaten just a neck in the finish. That would suggest he’s already a much better chaser than he was a hurdler but I’d like to see more of him before getting too excited.

The extra couple of furlongs should be in his favour and he receives a handy seven pounds from Cue Card and Walkon, but he was a faller on his debut over fences and also hit the turf once over hurdles.