December 07 / 13.32 Aintree

13.32

Soft

BoyleSports Home Of The Early Payout Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20576
  • 2m 3f 200y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
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BoyleSports Home Of The Early Payout Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 42U-13 D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Progressive over hurdles last season on soft/heavy ground and he's taken well to chasing this autumn, winning at Chepstow (2m3f, good) before his third of four in another Listed novice at Cheltenham (3m, good); this drop back in trip could be a positive move and he's a leading player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

midfield

13/2

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

Form: 49F0-4 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won this last year in desperate conditions, which may have taken its toll as he was below par on his next four runs; after a break he was back on song when fourth in the Grand Sefton over the National fences here (2m5f, good to soft) last month; could build on that latest run; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Richmond Lake

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

10yo whose 13-race losing sequence goes back to December 2023 but he's run some good races in the meantime (including on soft), most recently staying on for a neck second in the Peter Marsh here (extended 3m1f, good to soft); on that evidence he's well worth a crack at a marathon trip.

8/1

2nd

7

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Richmond Lake

10st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Ran really well when third in this last year (soft) and kept on for second at Aintree (2m4f, soft) last month, albeit no match for the winner; this 10yo has a good record here and, now 8lb lower than 12 months ago, he could be involved back up in trip.

10/1

Form: 03148- D

Last run: 239 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Below best in the Topham over the National fences here in April and this is his first run since; however, this 9yo is lightly raced for his age and has a creditable 3-8 chasing record; no surprise to see a good run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

1st Mar 2025

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Grandads Cottage

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear

7/1

Form: 1342F- C BF

Last run: 273 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
His form was mixed last term but he won in fine style at Haydock (2m, soft) last November and was a creditable second at Newbury (2m, heavy) in March; has run well over 2m4f in the past and is not discounted on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

28th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 3

15:28 Ffos Las

Real Stone

11st 13lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Has a rather mixed record over last couple of years but reportedly benefited from positive front-running ride when causing 33-1 surprise at Wetherby in February and is only 2lb higher here; a possible if ready to roll after five-month break.

8/1

4

28th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 3

15:28 Ffos Las

Real Stone

11st 13lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Has a rather mixed record over last couple of years but reportedly benefited from positive front-running ride when causing 33-1 surprise at Wetherby in February and is only 2lb higher here; a possible if ready to roll after five-month break.

8/1

9

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

14:05 Fontwell

Real Stone

11st 1lb

T: Dan Skelton

Form: 445-92 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
0-6 last season and his form was up and down; however, he returned from a break and wind surgery with a 10l second of five to an exciting prospect at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft) in October, and he might not be far away off his reduced mark; versatile ground-wise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:30 Wetherby

No Risk Des Flos

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear, not fluent 5 out, brief headway 4 out, soon no impression

11/4

5th

5

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:30 Wetherby

No Risk Des Flos

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear, not fluent 5 out, brief headway 4 out, soon no impression

11/4

4

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 3

12:22 Southwell

No Risk Des Flos

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-6 during his last campaign but he dropped down the weights and returned with encouraging second to a handicap blot at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft); could build on that latest run and he's one to consider.

7/2

Form: 2312-4

Last run: 196 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Some good form in the spring for Lucinda Russell prior to below-par effort when last seen; makes stable debut having had wind surgery and in a first-time tongue-tie (remains in same ownership); could be capable off current mark but this headstrong sort has stamina to prove now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Salamanca Bay

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: L J Morgan

Free-goer who was useful in his prime and was in front before last-fence fall over C&D (good) on last month's stable debut; subsequent 2lb rise is manageable and, providing his confidence has not been affected, he's an obvious contender.

11/8

3

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:22 Perth

Salamanca Bay

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

Back in better form the last twice, then sold for £7,000; gained his sole chase win off 7lb higher and can't be dismissed on debut for another new yard (his fifth).

5/1

2nd

5

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Salamanca Bay

11st 7lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Should be well handicapped and he ran well for a long way when a 4l third behind Jet Of Dreams at Chepstow (2m, good); perhaps went off a bit too hot that day and has to be of interest.

15/2

Form: F351-6 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Can make mistakes but he's of interest judged on his win at Bangor (2m4f, soft) in April and shaped on his reappearance at Wetherby as though he would improve for the run; this second-season chaser could be a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

Cerendipity

11st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Well treated on his best form, now 9lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) in March 2025, but he has been struggling, including with his jumping; cheekpieces off, tongue-strap on.

12/1

9th

4

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Cerendipity

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Has lacked fluency at times this season; otherwise an interesting type as he's on a very handy mark and this looks the time to catch him (gained last two wins in spring months).

9/1

5th

12

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Cerendipity

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Yet to score this term but he arrives in decent nick, scuppered by a bad error when sixth over C&D last month; possibilities off a 2lb lower mark.

20/1

Form: 434-31

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won at Haydock (2m, soft) a fortnight ago on his second start of the season and the clear runner-up has since gone one better; rarely seen beyond that trip but he seemed fine with 2m4f at Sandown in March; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Runs off a mark 10lb lower than when fifth of 14 in this last year, beaten just over 13l; he's run a couple of reasonable races this season but hasn't shown enough to suggest he's the one to be on today.

33/1

3rd

5

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Led close home to win this race off 5lb higher a year ago (soft ground) and was seemingly perked up by cheekpieces when third on both outings last month; made up considerable ground from the rear at Sandown (1m7f, soft) on latter occasion and has strong claims here if the headgear continues to aid him.

15/8

3rd

9

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 3lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Acts on any ground; half-length second off 4lb higher in this contest 12 months ago; out of sorts this term until posting a resurgent effort, behind solid rivals, in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor most recently; enters calculations in the retained headgear.

11/2

Non-runners

Whistleinthedark

Verdict

Last year’s winner RICHMOND LAKE returned to form in the Grand Sefton here four weeks ago and earns the vote ahead of talented novice Springwell Bay, for whom the drop back in trip could be a plus now reverting to a handicap. Cerendipity is an interesting contender on his second start of the season, while the form of Dr T J Eckleburg’s win at Haydock has been boosted by the runner-up.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Richmond Lake

WEST COUNTRY:

Springwell Bay

D Express:

Cerendipity

Telegraph:

Dr T J Eckleburg

TOPSPEED:

Real Stone

The Star:

Cerendipity

Daily Mirror:

Springwell Bay

Daily Record:

Springwell Bay

RP RATINGS:

Richmond Lake

POSTDATA:

Richmond Lake

The Times:

Richmond Lake

The Guardian:

Richmond Lake

Daily Mail:

Richmond Lake

The Sun:

Richmond Lake