December 05 / 12.55 Leicester

12.55

Soft

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 6f 151y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £20.60
  • Place: £4.20

Form: 05-8

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Beaten a long way in his three maiden hurdles at about 2m3f; handicaps/fences could bring him on but hard to back with any confidence; the cheekpieces are new.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Catch Catchfire

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Record of 2-8 over fences; his narrow defeat by Aworkinprogress at Lingfield (3m5f, soft) puts him in the mix and there were excuses last time at Exeter where he was kicked at the start, made the odd mistake and lost a shoe; can put a line through that; hard to rule out.

16/1

5

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Catch Catchfire

10st 7lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Fifth in the Borders National at Kelso (4m, soft; unraced on heavy) in December was up with his best at the time; suffered an early mishap next time but raised his game when rallying strongly for a close second in the Surrey National at Lingfield (3m5f, soft; jumped to his right) on latest start, which puts him firmly in the mix despite this 5lb higher mark and going this way round could help; he should have a big shout.

7/2

2nd

14

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Catch Catchfire

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Very close third over hurdles on seasonal debut in November and not beaten far from out of the weights in Borders National at Kelso (4m, soft) when back over fences last month; suffered early mishap last time and is 1lb wrong today but, after only six chase runs, he's not fully exposed.

12/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 4-3384

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler off 2lb higher; with the cheekpieces back on, his second run over fences when beaten 10l at Ludlow was better than his first attempt; that was a respectable run over 2m on good ground and he stays 3m and enjoys it soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:17 Ludlow

Everyonesacritic

11st 7lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Showed career-best form when drawing clear to score by just over 9l at Hereford (2m5f, heavy) a fortnight ago and is now 3-13 over fences; 7lb higher here but this trip-and-ground combination will also suit.

11/4

1st

6

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Everyonesacritic

11st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Won this (good to soft) last year off 4lb lower, beating Kingcormac (second) and Greenways (pulled up); scored on heavy at Leicester next time and largely consistent since; swaps cheekpieces for a visor and has dipped below that last winning mark; player.

5/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 995-P

Last run: 215 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on handicap debut over hurdles in May and now returns for chase debut following further wind surgery; has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

15:30 Fontwell

Ronnies Reflection

11st 4lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Both wins have come in the mud at Leicester where he ran another respectable race three weeks ago (good to soft); has C&D form and needs respecting.

9/4

3rd

6

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

15:30 Leicester

Ronnies Reflection

10st 10lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Dual C&D winner (soft/heavy) last season and does appear to reserve his best for this venue, with last month's 3l second another respectable effort; likely to need a bit more to go one better off this mark, but has definite place prospects.

13/2

2nd

5

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:50 Leicester

Ronnies Reflection

11st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

No match for the winner at Lingfield (2m4f) last time but ran creditably; record of 2-4 at Leicester features a success, off current mark on heavy ground, in this race 12 months ago; respected.

4/1

Form: /2332-

Last run: 285 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
14 defeats under rules include eight chases but he did make the frame on all four appearances last season; may prefer further ideally and others might be fitter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

14th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

20:10 Uttoxeter

Williamdeconqueror

10st 2lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Made the frame on all four chasing starts during the 2023-24 season and is well handicapped on those exploits but can't really blame the slow ground for this year's three disappointing efforts; blinkers refitted.

14/1

6th

5

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:54 Newton Abbot

Williamdeconqueror

10st 6lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

in touch with leaders, jumped left 7th

11/2

6th

5

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:54 Newton Abbot

Williamdeconqueror

10st 6lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

in touch with leaders, jumped left 7th

11/2

Form: P8-053 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Two 2m7f hurdle wins; 0-3 over fences; just ahead of Harkangel when a 14l third over C&D 17 days ago and this softer surface should be favourable; can go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

16:50 Ffos Las

Shesupincourt

10st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Ryan Potter

Losing run is mounting up, as are a string of big defeats; has won over hurdles and fences but she needs to get back on track.

7/1

4th

7

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

18:50 Fontwell

Shesupincourt

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Ryan Potter

2-31 over hurdles (soft/heavy) but the losing run is mounting up, as are a string of big defeats; the latest of those came at Hereford just eight days ago and she's out of the weights again.

12/1

7th

7

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:57 Hereford

Shesupincourt

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Ryan Potter

Won twice over hurdles in 2023 (about 2m7f) and once over fences (2m4f) in Feburary 2025, all in the mud; beaten at least 20l on all completions this season, she's opposable despite her fall in the weights.

16/1

Form: 42514/

Last run: 589 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won a Hereford maiden hurdle (2m, good to soft) before finishing weakly in a 2m5f handicap at Ludlow; still lightly raced, in good hands and there are chasers in the family.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:54 Newton Abbot

Jikala

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

towards rear

4/1

5th

4

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:54 Newton Abbot

Jikala

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

towards rear

4/1

3rd

4

28th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:45 Ffos Las

Jikala

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Only fourth at Hereford (2m5f, good to soft) recently and she's untested at this trip; however, she kept on for a fair third at Hereford (2m3f, soft) two starts ago and this lightly raced 6yo is not ruled for her good yard.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: U55-53

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Never really got anything going in handicap hurdles (2m5f-3m) but horses from this yard can make better chasers and pedigree bodes well in that respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Pearl Island

11st 6lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Record of 1-14 for Henry Daly, the win coming in a 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter in late 2024 (in first-time blinkers that were retained until now); has lost his way but still only a 7yo and he's on a fair mark for this yard debut; may prefer slower ground, however.

20/1

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:10 Ludlow

Pearl Island

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

6yo who won in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) in December on second chase start; however, two lesser runs have followed and he has to raise his game if he's to return to winning ways.

10/1

6th

3

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

13:35 Southwell

Pearl Island

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

disputed lead, reminder after 12th, lost position before 14th, weakened after 4 out

11/2

Form: P1-7P4

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won a 3m handicap hurdle at Taunton earlier this year but that effort remains a standout in her profile; struggles continued on chase debut latest and soft ground might not be what she wants.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

5th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

12:55 Leicester

Harkangel

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tom Gretton

Won a 3m handicap hurdle at Taunton earlier this year but that effort remains a standout in her profile; struggles continued on chase debut latest and soft ground might not be what she wants.

14/1

8

5th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

12:55 Leicester

Harkangel

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tom Gretton

Won a 3m handicap hurdle at Taunton earlier this year but that effort remains a standout in her profile; struggles continued on chase debut latest and soft ground might not be what she wants.

14/1

4th

6

18th Nov 2024

Good To Firm

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

15:10 Leicester

Harkangel

10st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

Won mares' handicap hurdle at Taunton in April (3m, good; 33-1) with tongue-tie and cheekpieces on for first time; poor efforts both starts since; has same headgear on chase debut.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £116.30
Straight Forecast £82.45
Tricast £742.90
Trifecta £752.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Everyonesacritic

RP RATINGS:

Williamdeconqueror

Telegraph:

Jikala

POSTDATA:

Shesupincourt

Daily Mail:

Catch Catchfire

The Sun:

Pearl Island

The Times:

Everyonesacritic

D Express:

Everyonesacritic

The Star:

Jikala

Daily Record:

Shesupincourt

WEST COUNTRY:

Williamdeconqueror

Daily Mirror:

Williamdeconqueror