Zertakt
Zertakt came from an improbable position to get up and win the novices' handicap chase run over three miles and one and a half furlongs at Cheltenham on Saturday. Last of the eight runners early on, he was still only sixth and about 10 lengths off the leader as they raced to the top of the hill final time. Fifth as they raced down the hill to the third last fence, and apparently going as fast as he could go, he looked booked for fifth place when the front four established a little break between themselves and the rest of the field as they raced to the home turn. Rider Charlie Deutsch didn't panic though, he allowed his horse close up a little on the run to the second last fence, but he didn't really ask him for his effort until after they had landed over that obstacle. When he did, Zertakt responded well, closed on the leaders on the run to the last, jumped that obstacle well and stayed on strongly up the hill to get home by a neck from Holokea.
This was a really good ride by Charlie Deutsch, but that shouldn't detract from the merit of the performance that Zertakt put up. It looked like they had gone fast early on, but a finishing speed of 106% of overall speed tells you that they didn't go overly hard, and that the winner did well to come from as far back as he did. He as over a second faster than his fastest rival through the final four furlongs. Venetia Williams' horse was unlucky not to win a three-mile-six-furlong handicap chase at Newcastle on his previous run, when he moved into the lead and looked set for victory, but a slow jump at the final fence halted his momentum and left him vulnerable to Dom Of Mary's finishing surge. This time, he only hit the front about 100 yards from the winning line.
Three miles and one and a half furlongs on good to soft ground is probably as sharp a test as Zertakt would like. He should be seen to better effect back up in trip or on softer ground, or both. The handicapper raised him by 4lb, but that was fair, and it leaves him on a mark of 120, still 3lb lower than his hurdles mark. This race has been won by Ultima and Grand National winner Corach Rambler and by National Hunt Chase and Irish Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs in the recent past, and Venetia Williams did mention the National Hunt Chase as a possible target now for Zertakt. That makes sense, he is obviously proven now at Cheltenham, and the step up in trip to three miles and six furlongs should suit him well. He is on the cusp now, last year the bottom weight in the National Hunt Chase was rated 124, so he will probably have to go up another couple of pounds if he is going to get into the National Hunt Chase. In the meantime, he would be of big interest if he was aimed at the Eider Chase at Newcastle. The extreme trip of that contest could suit him well, and he proved that he could operate at Newcastle when he finished second there last month.
Cheltenham, 13th December 2025
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