GENEROUS Ransom (38) clocked a very good time when taking a hot novices handicap chase at Cheltenham last Saturday.

All through the race Generous Ransom moved really well. He jumped well too, showing the ability to pop over one fence he got too close to and really stretch to clear another when he stood off too far.

Approaching the final jump Generous Ransom had cruised five lengths clear and looked uncatchable. Unfortunately this was the one obstacle he chose to make a mistake, one that cost him a good deal of momentum.

He may also have been idling a bit. In any event, the runner-up was able to stage a rally and cut his winning margin to only a neck.

If Generous Ransom had kept his five-length lead to the finish he would have earned a rating of 40 from me. That would make him a serious candidate for any race at the Cheltenham Festival.

It looks like stamina is Generous Ransom’s strong suit. If he hadn’t slipped up when cantering at Ascot, he would have won all five times he’s run beyond two miles on a testing track or beyond two and a half miles on other courses.

Generous Ransom won this race off an official mark of only 128. Logically he just has to go for one of the big handicap chases at the Cheltenham Festival. I’d be wary of opposing him in any of them and would regard him as a good thing in the novice handicap.

The runner-up Astigos (38) picked up really well in the closing stages. He’s won just one of his 39 lifetime starts but has clearly improved markedly for the switch to fences.