December 21 / 15.00 Ascot

15.00

Good To Soft

Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 2m 7f 180y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 174P-3 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Kicked off last season with two valuable C&D wins (soft/good), the latter in this race and he's just 1lb higher today; in and out in his four races since but his fourth here in February was creditable, as was his strong-finishing third in top 3m2f handicap at Newbury three weeks ago; capable of jumping better than he did at Newbury and big chance if everything clicks again on his return to Ascot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Victtorino

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Poor Cheltenham record was extended at the Festival last time; 3m at right-handed Ascot, on the other hand, produced four wins (two on good ground) from five attempts and his strong finish in Newbury's big 3m2f handicap in November catches the eye with regard to today's new trip; his stable has had a long dry spell recently (it ended on Thursday) but he's a strong candidate otherwise.

16/1

7th

6

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Victtorino

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Poor Cheltenham record was extended at the Festival last time; 3m at right-handed Ascot, on the other hand, produced four wins (two on good ground) from five attempts and his strong finish in Newbury's big 3m2f handicap in November catches the eye with regard to today's new trip; his stable has had a long dry spell recently (it ended on Thursday) but he's a strong candidate otherwise.

16/1

6

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Victtorino

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Struggled last term on both previous Cheltenham runs (including in this), which is a worry; this winter's two wins came at favourite course Ascot (3m, good to soft/good) but he also ran well at Newbury in November and this progressive 7yo is climbing the weights only slowly; dangerous to rule out.

25/1

100/30

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 442-F2 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Tongue tied this season after wind surgery; strong in the betting and moving nicely in fourth place when falling in the Badger Beer at Wincanton on reappearance; excellent second at Newcastle three weeks later, the front two well clear, and he could be well treated with a 5lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

The Changing Man

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unfair to knock his strike-rate of 1-12 over fences as he's run some crackers in defeat, with four seconds last season including a strong C&D handicap and the Ultima at Cheltenham in March; quite likely that he was over the top when last to finish in the 3m1f Grade 1 novice at Aintree; tough, consistent and much respected despite a challenging mark.

100/30

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

The Changing Man

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unfair to knock his strike-rate of 1-12 over fences as he's run some crackers in defeat, with four seconds last season including a strong C&D handicap and the Ultima at Cheltenham in March; quite likely that he was over the top when last to finish in the 3m1f Grade 1 novice at Aintree; tough, consistent and much respected despite a challenging mark.

100/30

3rd

7

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

The Changing Man

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 1-11 over fences, the success in a Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot that essentially fell apart; however, he's proved very consistent in good handicaps otherwise this term, second at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f, good to soft) most recently; again likely to give his running.

10/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: /2210- CD

Last run: 238 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Usually ridden up with pace; ended last term on a low note but better than ever earlier in the campaign, including with with a valuable C&D win in February; 3lb higher today but has a shout if he returns on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Threeunderthrufive

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Two attempts in this race comprise a success in 2024 and close second last year, both off higher marks; however, has a doubt over current form and needs to stage a revival.

10/1

3

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Threeunderthrufive

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Fourth in the 2023 Scottish National (4m, good); commendable efforts most starts since, for instance beaten a nose by Victtorino at Ascot (3m, good; 1lb higher today) in February, but this race last year was not one of them and neither was the Grand National three weeks ago.

16/1

3

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Threeunderthrufive

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Fourth in the 2023 Scottish National (4m, good); commendable efforts most starts since, for instance beaten a nose by Victtorino at Ascot (3m, good; 1lb higher today) in February, but this race last year was not one of them and neither was the Grand National three weeks ago.

16/1

Form: 323F-1 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
All ten starts on soft/heavy ground; capsized very early on when second favourite for the big 3m1f handicap at Cheltenham in March but he returned four weeks ago with an improved performance to score from the front in battling fashion in a graduation chase at Haydock (2m5f, soft); he has not yet had the opportunity to show what he can do over 3m (won over 2m7f as a hurdler) and remains one with notable potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Trelawne

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Well-backed 5-1 shot in this last year only to fall early (a stablemate won); 8lb higher this time; won over an extended 2m7f over hurdles and this second-season chaser reappeared with a win in a graduation chase at Haydock (extended 2m5f, soft) in November; fair efforts when fourth in handicaps the next twice (3m/3m1f, good to soft/soft) but needs something extra today.

25/1

4th

2

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:30 Haydock

Trelawne

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Promising novice chaser last season and his reappearance win in a graduation chase here (2m5f, soft) represents strong form; won over an extended 2m7f over hurdles; merely fourth off this mark when back in a handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month but it was still a reasonable performance on ground that may not have been ideal; respected now back on testing surface.

7/2

4th

2

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:30 Haydock

Trelawne

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Promising novice chaser last season and his reappearance win in a graduation chase here (2m5f, soft) represents strong form; won over an extended 2m7f over hurdles; merely fourth off this mark when back in a handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month but it was still a reasonable performance on ground that may not have been ideal; respected now back on testing surface.

7/2

Form: P-7784 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Peak efforts at Kempton; ran creditably here three times in a row late last year, third in this race, but he has not clicked when returned to Ascot for his latest two outings; others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Kempton

Flegmatik

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender.

9/4

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Kempton

Flegmatik

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender.

9/4

Form: -55322

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
French challenger, usually seen at Auteuil; no win since May 2022 but usually competitive, runner-up in a Grade 1 hurdle race last time (3m, heavy) in first-time blinkers; cheekpieces return; last five races have been over hurdles and although he is 3-12 over French fences, he wasn't at his best over them twice this spring on his most recent attempts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Heloy Delabarriere

10st 12lb

J: Florent Bayle

T: A Chaille-Chaille

French challenger, usually seen at Auteuil; no win since May 2022 but usually competitive, runner-up in a Grade 1 hurdle race last time (3m, heavy) in first-time blinkers; cheekpieces return; last five races have been over hurdles and although he is 3-12 over French fences, he wasn't at his best over them twice this spring on his most recent attempts.

10/1

6th

6

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Heloy Delabarriere

10st 12lb

J: Florent Bayle

T: A Chaille-Chaille

French challenger, usually seen at Auteuil; no win since May 2022 but usually competitive, runner-up in a Grade 1 hurdle race last time (3m, heavy) in first-time blinkers; cheekpieces return; last five races have been over hurdles and although he is 3-12 over French fences, he wasn't at his best over them twice this spring on his most recent attempts.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9P26-4 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Most of his best performances have been at Ascot, with just the one win here but he was twice runner-up in C&D handicaps last term and returned from a wind operation with creditable fourth to a stablemate seven weeks ago; veteran but unlikely to be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

14:05 Market Rasen

Two For Gold

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Teenager who ran well for a long way when very respectable sixth in valuable Ascot handicap (3m, good) on seasonal debut in November; pulled up in similar race back there just before Christmas but might be aided by the refitted tongue-tie here and has slipped to a tempting mark.

20/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Two For Gold

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Second and fourth in the last two renewals of this and further enhanced his solid record here with another second over this trip in March; can see him running well again but it goes against the grain trends-wise to row in with a 12yo carrying 12st.

25/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Two For Gold

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Second and fourth in the last two renewals of this and further enhanced his solid record here with another second over this trip in March; can see him running well again but it goes against the grain trends-wise to row in with a 12yo carrying 12st.

25/1

Form: 3110-9 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Won at Clonmel (2m4f, heavy) and Naas (3m1f Leinster National, soft) on first two starts for Gavin Cromwell, before non-stayer in the Irish National; always behind in top 2m4f handicap on good at Cheltenham on return but he was 33-1 that day and should be a lot more interesting back up in trip this time, for Irish trainer who had the runner-up in this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 20y

15:30 Naas

Hartur Darc

10st 12lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: John C McConnell

Better chaser albeit well below best twice in valuable handicaps in December and pulled up after never counting in valuable 3m Leopardstown handicap hurdle early this month; cheekpieces tried.

14/1

21

2nd Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 19y

14:25 Leopardstown

Hartur Darc

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: John C McConnell

Better chaser albeit well below best twice in valuable handicaps last month; 3lb wrong and not an obvious contender.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.20
Straight Forecast £11.40
Tricast £139.96
Trifecta £104.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

The Changing Man

POSTDATA:

Victtorino

SPOTLIGHT:

Trelawne

The Times:

Heloy Delabarriere

Telegraph:

Trelawne

The Star:

Trelawne

Daily Mail:

Victtorino

Daily Mirror:

Victtorino

The Sun:

Victtorino

Daily Record:

Heloy Delabarriere

TOPSPEED:

The Changing Man

WEST COUNTRY:

The Changing Man

The Guardian:

The Changing Man

D Express:

The Changing Man