12.55
Goodbet365 December Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £22780
- 2m 7f 214y
- Class 1
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
Abandoned
Form: /332-2 BF
Last run: 52 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 |
9th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 85y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Won three times over fences for Fergal O'Brien; beaten favourite on his stable debut at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February but has now dropped to a career-low mark. |
4/1 |
|
7th 8 |
27th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 214y Class 3 |
11st 4lb |
Soundly beaten/pulled up towards end of last year on final two runs for Fergal O'Brien; however, perhaps a change of scenery and first run in a veterans' chase will prompt a revival from this 10yo, who is on a reduced mark; interesting on yard debut, all the more so if strong in the betting. |
13/2 |
|
1st 3 |
28th May 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 107y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Thorough stayer; seemingly on the downgrade now but ran well for a long way when eighth in last month's Aintree Foxhunters' and probably found the good ground too lively when below that form at Cheltenham (2m4f; first-time cheekpieces) four weeks ago; can make his presence felt here. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: U31255 D
Last run: 5 days
W: 11st 4lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 1 |
7th Sep 2023 Good 2m 4f 88y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Two small-field wins (2m4f/3m1f) over fences last year but he's struggled in last four runs including when pulled up at Perth in June; with new yard now and he needs to turn things around after a short break; visor reapplied. |
7/1 |
|
4 |
11th Jun 2023 Good 2m 7f 180y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
in touch with leaders, headway and prominent after 10th, lost ground from 13th |
16/1 |
|
6th 4 |
16th May 2023 Good 2m 4f 19y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
midfield, towards rear with one circuit to go |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 212-70
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 139
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 7 |
24th Feb 2024 Heavy 2m 7f 131y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
Had a career-low jumps mark when winning at Aintree (3m, soft) in November; that was a doughty performance but he reverted to heavy defeats on both starts since; has been wearing cheekpieces but now tries a visor; 7lb claimer is recruited. |
25/1 |
|
7th 4 |
13th Jan 2024 Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Well down the weights and took advantage with Aintree win (3m, soft) in November; that was a doughty performance but he reverted to a heavy defeat when back up 5lb at Newbury three weeks later; needs more like the novice form he showed in the 2021-22 season. |
12/1 |
|
11th 5 |
1st Dec 2023 Good To Soft 3m 0f 52y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Well down weights and took advantage with Aintree win (3m, soft) three weeks ago; that was a doughty performance but he's back up 5lb and probably now needs more like the novice form he showed in the 2021-22 season. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 30P-51
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
30th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
12st 6lb |
Still in front when falling on his return to hunter chasing in January but ran miserably at Leicester next time where soft ground was no excuse; had been in good form in handicaps before those setbacks and would take some beating if back on song. |
6/4 |
|
3rd 2 |
24th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 6f 151y Class 3 |
12st 4lb |
Good form in handicaps this winter includes a Leicester success; still in front when falling at Warwick returned to hunter chasing last time; retains all of his ability and is top on the figures in this field. |
1/2 |
|
2 |
23rd Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
12st 6lb |
Commendable second in last season's Aintree Foxhunters' (2m5f, good to soft) and as good as ever in recent 2m4f handicaps; stays 3m well and won't be fazed if the ground turns soft (unraced on heavy); ought to be hard to beat on return to hunter chasing. |
6/5 |
Abandoned
Form: 2517-2
Last run: 43 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 |
23rd May 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 107y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Very lightly raced but fairly useful hurdles/chase winner for Laura Morgan in 2021/22; just two runs since back from huge absence for this yard and not totally disgraced when seventh over 3m at Ffos Las (soft) in March, prominent to three out; had wind surgery since; tongue-tie now added. |
8/1 |
|
7th 1 |
16th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 7f 177y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Made very promising start to chasing career for Laura Morgan in 2022 but, following a mammoth absence, struggled to get competitive (albeit in a good race) on last month's stable debut; sports refitted cheekpieces here; current ability very hard to gauge. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1171-2 C
Last run: 49 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
13th Apr 2024 Heavy 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Usually front-runs or races prominently; best known for last year's NH Chase at the Cheltenham Festival (3m6f, soft; has won well on soft to heavy) where he was 4l ahead when falling two out; that left a lingering stamina question but he resumed improvement to be second in the big 3m2f handicap at Newbury in November when last seen; raised 7lb but he's a second-season chaser who may well improve again and makes serious appeal. |
14/1 |
|
10 |
13th Apr 2024 Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Usually front-runs or races prominently; best known for last year's NH Chase at the Cheltenham Festival (3m6f, soft; has won well on soft to heavy) where he was 4l ahead when falling two out; that left a lingering stamina question but he resumed improvement to be second in the big 3m2f handicap at Newbury in November when last seen; raised 7lb but he's a second-season chaser who may well improve again and makes serious appeal. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 9 |
2nd Dec 2023 Good To Soft 3m 1f 214y Class 1 |
10st 10lb |
travelled strongly, prominent |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 7-2324
Last run: 42 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
27th May 2026 Good 2m 1f 46y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
Mixes chasing with hurdling and he's stuck on a losing run; last three efforts thoroughly underwhelming. |
20/1 |
|
6 |
1st Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 77y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Course winner but it's now 16 starts since his last victory and he came in a remote fifth of seven over C&D on Boxing Day; he's not one to rely on. |
9/1 |
|
8 |
25th Oct 2025 Good 2m 1f 14y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Last win was at Cartmel in August 2024 (2m1f, soft); best run since when third over same C&D in July (good); bit disappointing last twice, but no surprise if he were to run well. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 21142-
Last run: 265 days
W: 10st 11lb
5 yo Mare
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 11 (10) |
12th May 2023 Soft 2m 2f 140y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
Has a slight doubt over her current form, based on her results over jumps this year; however, won this contest (off 4lb lower; good ground) in 2022 when last seen on the Flat and remains unexposed in this sphere; acts on soft; has to be feared back here. |
8/1 |
|
6th 2 |
21st Apr 2023 Good To Soft 3m 0f 70y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
prominent, led narrowly or disputed lead 1st, led overall before 7th |
6/1 |
|
10 |
14th Mar 2023 Soft 3m 5f 201y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Her greatest test of stamina was a hurdles win (3m2f, soft) and she also won the 2m2f Chester Plate on Flat; none of her form gives her a say in this, however, and soundly beaten this season in her two starts over fences. |
100/1 |
Verdict
Three of these stand out on hurdle form, with two (Gentleman At Arms and Bellatrixsa) making their chase debuts. MAHLER MISSION was disappointing at Cheltenham in October on his first run over fences but may have needed that reappearance outing and could be a different proposition today, having won a Grade 2 novice hurdle here in January. Gentleman At Arms and Bellatrixsa are respected but the chief danger may come from Loughderg Rocco, who ran a promising race on his chase debut at Wetherby. Autonomous Cloud and Jet Plane could also be involved if the talented hurdlers underperform.[Ben Hutton]
Selections
RP Ratings:
Jet PlaneSPOTLIGHT:
Mahler MissionTelegraph:
BellatrixsaWEST COUNTRY:
Autonomous CloudThe Times:
Jet PlaneDaily Mirror:
Jet PlaneThe Guardian:
Mahler MissionDaily Mail:
Mahler MissionD Express:
Mahler MissionDaily Record:
Mahler Mission