December 13 / 13.50 Cheltenham

13.50

Good To Soft

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 3m 2f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 52B-11 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent previously but, following wind surgery, took his form to a new level this season with always-prominent wins on good to soft at Chepstow (3m2f) and Aintree (2m5f, National fences); up another 8lb but it's easy to think he remains capable of better, such was the authority of those wins.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

King Turgeon

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Won good-quality handicaps at Aintree (2m5f) and Cheltenham (3m2f) towards end of 2024; not at best in 2025 but he shaped as if retaining ability; missed the Grimthorpe at Doncaster in February due to soft ground; drying conditions should help and, back to his last winning mark, he's a possible.

4/1

15

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

King Turgeon

11st 1lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

The writing was on the wall very early when pulled up at Musselburgh latest and it's hard to be confident on the back of that; however, this 7yo has enjoyed a progressive season otherwise, completing a hat-trick with his win here (3m2f, good to soft) in December before solid third at Wincanton (3m2f, good to soft); can make bold bid if bouncing back.

16/1

OUR TIP

16/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 10/7F-

Last run: 377 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Twice a major handicap winner (Ascot and Kempton) two seasons back after a break, latterly off 2lb lower than today; not seen since falling in another at Newbury in November 2023 and he's not come up the hill that well on previous visits to Cheltenham, but a case can be made.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Our Power

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Withdrawn from Scottish National last week due to the heavy ground; 6lb lower than this time last year (when third in the Scottish National) as he's not fired on all cylinders this term, but excuses can be made; he's won two major 3m handicaps going right-handed (Ascot and Kempton) on good ground, back in the 2022-23 season admittedly but this 11yo may be dangerous to dismiss, including as first-time blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces.

20/1

6/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1214-1 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Usually races prominently and can make the running; 7yo who had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at 3m-3m1f last season, notably with a triumph on heavy ground here at the Festival, and he resumed with clearcut win on good in valuable handicap at Ascot six weeks ago; up another 5lb but the extra distance should help and he remains a fine prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Chianti Classico

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Usually races prominently and can make the running; 7yo who had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at 3m-3m1f last season, notably with a triumph on heavy ground here at the Festival, and he resumed with clearcut win on good in valuable handicap at Ascot six weeks ago; up another 5lb but the extra distance should help and he remains a fine prospect.

6/4

3rd

1

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Chianti Classico

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Usually races prominently and can make the running; 7yo who had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at 3m-3m1f last season, notably with a triumph on heavy ground here at the Festival, and he resumed with clearcut win on good in valuable handicap at Ascot six weeks ago; up another 5lb but the extra distance should help and he remains a fine prospect.

6/4

Form: 4145-2

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won at Sandown (3m, good) in February on second start for this stable and good second here (3m1f, good) four weeks ago; that needs respect but he's 2lb out of the handicap today and others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Java Point

12st 0lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Lemos De Souza

Useful, four-time handicap chase winner who scored at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in January on his first hunter chase start; runner-up on next two outings (3m/2m7f, soft/good to soft); this 11yo needs a bigger run today.

33/1

2nd

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Java Point

12st 6lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Lemos De Souza

Has always been useful; ran in a handicap on debut for this yard and then beat Fil d'Ariane at Ludlow (3m, good to soft); perhaps found soft ground against him when no match for Jeffery's Cross last time and better can be expected.

6/1

2nd

3

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:15 Southwell

Java Point

12st 6lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Lemos De Souza

Successful at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) last time on hunter chase debut and second start for new stable, showing he retains plenty of vitality aged 11; this is a weaker race; respected.

11/10

Form: 733-14 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
9yo who was running over fences for the first time since 2022 when accounting for his 17 rivals here (3m1f, good) on reappearance in October; good fourth over that same C&D four weeks ago and has never been better, but position 4lb out of the handicap demands more again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

The Newest One

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who was runner-up at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve but he's had a heavy defeat and a fall in two subsequent runs; new headgear is now tried but he's hard to predict and has not won since October 2024; down the list.

8/1

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

The Newest One

11st 13lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who was runner-up at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve but he's hard to predict and was tailed off at Ludlow (visor added) last time; comes with risks attached and he needs to bounce back again.

12/1

6th

4

18th Feb 2026

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

The Newest One

11st 9lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

11yo who has an up-and-down profile but finished second at Warwick (3m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; versatile ground-wise; major player if backing up that good performance with another; wears a first-time visor.

5/2

Form: 27-34F

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Early faller at Cheltenham (3m3f) last month, following a satisfactory reappearance; that made it only 1-10 over fences but he was twice bang there from four starts this February-May, also running respectably when seventh in the Scottish National, and he's not entirely ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.

20/1

9th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.

20/1

2

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:45 Wincanton

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd

14/1

Form: 21P88- CD

Last run: 276 days

W: 11st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Ridden for the last three seasons by Lucy Turner; won the 2022 Kim Muir at Cheltenham and, despite his advanced years, hit a major career high when dominating the Becher over the big Aintree fences (3m2f, heavy; 5lb higher today) last December; out of form in his four starts later last term and, although he ran well first time out last season, he's probably not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Chambard

10st 5lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Won 2022 Kim Muir here (3m2f, soft) and produced career-best performance when scoring by 13l over the big Aintree fences last season (3m2f, heavy); badly out of form this term, though, and this new discipline needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; 6lb out of the handicap.

100/1

7th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 102y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Chambard

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

towards rear, headway on outer after 10th, lost ground after 15th

25/1

7th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 102y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Chambard

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

towards rear, headway on outer after 10th, lost ground after 15th

25/1

Form: 113322 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
2-20 over French fences, the wins in cross-country events this August and September; position nearly three stone out of the handicap for this race presumably rules him out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Izino dAiry

10st 2lb

J: Alexandre Seigneul

T: Guillaume Fabre

2-20 over French fences, the wins in cross-country events this August and September; position nearly three stone out of the handicap for this race presumably rules him out.

100/1

8

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Izino dAiry

10st 2lb

J: Alexandre Seigneul

T: Guillaume Fabre

2-20 over French fences, the wins in cross-country events this August and September; position nearly three stone out of the handicap for this race presumably rules him out.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £41.70
Straight Forecast £40.23
Tricast £101.60
Trifecta £152.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

King Turgeon

POSTDATA:

Chianti Classico

Daily Mail:

The Newest One

RP RATINGS:

King Turgeon

TOPSPEED:

King Turgeon

The Times:

King Turgeon

Daily Mirror:

King Turgeon

Daily Record:

King Turgeon

WEST COUNTRY:

Chianti Classico

Telegraph:

Chianti Classico

D Express:

Chianti Classico

The Sun:

Chianti Classico

The Star:

Chianti Classico