December 26 / 13.35 Wetherby

13.35

Good To Soft

William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28475
  • 3m 0f 45y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: /2UP-P

Last run: 222 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Never a given that he'll start (effectively refused to race in last season's Scottish National) but he's talented on his day and realistically handicapped; however, the risks are too great to ignore and he would prefer a longer trip on debut for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Mr Incredible

12st 0lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Sandy Thomson

Runner-up off this mark for Willie Mullins in the 4m2f Midlands Grand National last March; that, however, was the last time he's completed and he's mostly been back to his old tricks since by refusing to race; last two "starts" were for new connections but he didn't start at all on the first of those and threw in the towel at a later point three weeks ago.

66/1

1

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Mr Incredible

12st 0lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Sandy Thomson

Runner-up off this mark for Willie Mullins in the 4m2f Midlands Grand National last March; that, however, was the last time he's completed and he's mostly been back to his old tricks since by refusing to race; last two "starts" were for new connections but he didn't start at all on the first of those and threw in the towel at a later point three weeks ago.

66/1

1

22nd Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

13:15 Kelso

Mr Incredible

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Runner-up off this mark for Willie Mullins in the Midlands Grand National last March; however, he can often be reluctant at the start and he refused to race on his stable debut at Wetherby in December; very risky.

12/1

Form: 3122-5

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler; had a solid first season over fences, keeping good company and going close in the Grade 2 Pendil at Kempton in February (2m4f, soft); ran as though the race was needed when fading out of contention in a strong conditions chase at Haydock last month; unraced over this far under rules but he won his only point at 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Tahmuras

12st 0lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Pulled up on all four starts last year but he turned things around with a rallying second at Windsor (2m6f, soft; first-time blinkers) in January; 2lb higher after a break but he remains well treated on old form and this return to quicker ground should be fine; possibilities.

10/1

2nd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 3

16:05 Windsor

Tahmuras

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Very well handicapped on his 2024 form but pulled up on all four starts last year; dramatic turnaround required in first-time blinkers.

25/1

12

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Tahmuras

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Paul Nicholls

Won Grade 1 novice hurdle; talented novice chaser at about this trip last winter but he's run to his best only once in three starts this season and cried enough a long way out at Kempton recently (over 3m; had run well at the trip the time before); up against it.

40/1

Form: 511-47 C

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on his return from a break but that was over hurdles and he progressed well last season as a chaser, making all in the 3m1f handicap on Grand National day and then a respectable fourth at Punchestown; only a 7yo and remains on a competitive mark; won here over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Cruz Control

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Took big step back in right direction when fifth at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) last month, in race he won the previous two seasons; still on a workable mark and has a fighting chance here if first-time cheekpieces have any positive effect.

9/4

5th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Cruz Control

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Has failed to show his form in both outings this term but a revival looks highly likely back at Aintree on return from four-month break; 2-2 over fences at this venue, namely wins in this race for the last two years (good/good to soft); had a similar prep when winning by 5l off just 1lb lower 12 months ago; commands respect in the hat-trick attempt.

11/2

Form: 112P55 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Back-to-back wins in the summer (3m2f/2m7f; good); unable to continue the good work in his recent starts, though he wasn't the only one who couldn't land a blow from off the pace at Doncaster last time; this is no easy race in which to regain the winning thread.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:05 Doncaster

Kinondo Kwetu

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

He won two in a row in the summer (3m2f/2m7f, good) but was pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) in October and soundly beaten in the Rehearsal at Newcastle (2m7f, good) last time; needs to bounce back.

25/1

Form: 2111-U CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Her claim to fame is winning last season's big hunter chase at the Cheltenham Festival which was no fluke (3m2f, soft); the figures she posted that day suggests she might be on a useful mark for this handicap debut; unseated mid-race in a Listed chase for mares last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

15:05 Stratford

Sine Nomine

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Fiona Needham

Unseated/fell on her two outings at the end of last year and pulled up at Cheltenham recently; however, she was kicked before the start last time and was running pretty well when falling two out at Wetherby in December; won last season's Cheltenham Festival hunter chase and is 2-2 here; capable.

3/1

10

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Sine Nomine

11st 3lb

J: Mr John Dawson

T: Fiona Needham

Got up close home to win the hunter chase at last season's Festival (3m2f, soft) and has also run well on good ground here; she's unseated/fallen on both starts this season but she was keeping on when departing two out at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) in December and today's stiffer test of stamina will be right up her street; could be a player granted a clear round.

20/1

Form: 13P-25 D BF

Last run: 61 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Hit the ground running over fences last year with a hat-trick of wins in 2m4f-2m7f handicaps (good, soft and heavy); last two efforts were respectable as well but the handicapper might now be in charge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Sep 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 3

16:30 Warwick

Young Buster

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Made it 4-9 over fences when coming clear for a 24l success at Kempton in April (3m, good) but that race fell apart and he faded to be beaten a long way at Uttoxeter two months ago (3m2f, good); needs to leave that run behind but he's not handicapped out of it.

11/2

8th

2

27th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

15:07 Uttoxeter

Young Buster

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Made it 4-9 over fences when coming clear for a 24l success at Kempton in April (3m, good); the two other finishers perhaps ran below form but a 4lb rise could have been a lot worse.

9/2

Form: 50-332 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Not the force he was when winning this three years ago off a 15lb higher mark but he's held his own in two of his three races this season and Jamie Brace claiming 7lb can only be a good thing; entitled to run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:30 Haydock

Good Boy Bobby

11st 12lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Six-time chase winner; long in the tooth now but was placed in Newbury veterans' chase (3m2f, soft) on latest outing last March and has a good record when fresh; shortlised on hunter chase debut.

6/1

Form: 124-P4 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Had a progressive first season over fences, winning twice at about 3m; underwent wind surgery after running no race on his return at Cheltenham but, although better at Newcastle, he was beaten the thick end of 20l in that Grade 3 Rehearsal Chase; however, he has a feather weight with Callum Pritchard taking off 7lb and this 6yo retains some potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Some Scope

11st 10lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Richard Hobson

Won from the front in first-time visor (kept since) at Doncaster in December; back to form when second at Newbury on latest start, his second run after his second wind operation; has a competitive mark but his inconsistency and going beyond 3m2f both introduce doubts.

5/1

2nd

7

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Some Scope

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Richard Hobson

Not easy to predict but he's only 2lb higher than when making all at Doncaster (3m, good) just after Christmas, and he probably went off too fast when beaten 33l there (3m2f, soft) three weeks ago; not discounted.

11/2

2nd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Some Scope

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Physical issues came to light after disappointing in a cross-country race last time; wore just a tongue-tie then but the visor that worked so well when a 3l winner here the time before now returns, as does Charlie Maggs with his claim; however, he has become hard to predict and underwent further wind surgery only recently.

15/2

Betting Forcast

20/1 Mr Incredible, 4/1 Tahmuras, 11/4 Cruz Control, 14/1 Kinondo Kwetu, 6/1 Sine Nomine, 8/1 Young Buster, 8/1 Good Boy Bobby, 7/2 Some Scope

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cruz Control

RP RATINGS:

Some Scope

TOPSPEED:

Tahmuras

Telegraph:

Sine Nomine

POSTDATA:

Good Boy Bobby

The Star:

Some Scope

The Times:

Cruz Control

The Guardian:

Cruz Control

Daily Mail:

Cruz Control

D Express:

Cruz Control

Daily Mirror:

Cruz Control

The Sun:

Cruz Control

Daily Record:

Cruz Control