January 13 / 15.30 Huntingdon

15.30

Good To Soft

Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4436.04
  • 2m 7f 129y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 323F-3

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Placed in two soft-ground handicap hurdles in early part of last year (2m3f here/2m5f) and made quite promising seasonal/chase debut when third here (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; remains lightly raced for his age and could have untapped potential at around 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:15 Ludlow

Smoking Pigeon

11st 5lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Low-mileage 9yo whose jumping improved as the race went on at Huntingdon and ran out a 5l winner (2m7f, good to soft); still unexposed over fences but his overall record is patchy and he faded into a well-held fifth at Kempton (3m, good) last time; returns after a short break but he comes with risks attached.

5/1

5th

7

10th Feb 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Kempton

Smoking Pigeon

11st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Low-mileage 9yo whose jumping improved as the race went on at Huntingdon and ran out a 5l winner (2m7f, good to soft); 6lb higher this time in what looks a better race, but needs considering.

100/30

1st

3

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

Smoking Pigeon

11st 10lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Placed in two soft-ground handicap hurdles in early part of last year (2m3f here/2m5f) and made quite promising seasonal/chase debut when third here (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; remains lightly raced for his age and could have untapped potential at around 3m.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: -32143 D BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Off the mark over fences with wide-margin success in two-finisher race at Fakenham (3m, good) in October and has made the frame on both subsequent outings (3m/2m7f, good); not yet fully exposed as a chaser but today's forecast slower ground may not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:35 Stratford

Dans Chosen

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won three chases last year from 2m4f to 2m5f when the ground was no slower than good to soft; latest return to chasing at Ffos Las was underwhelming, even allowing for the trip of 2m3f.

7/1

7th

1

30th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

15:00 Ffos Las

Dans Chosen

11st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won three chases over slightly longer trips last year when the ground was no slower than good to soft; current mark won't be easy but this race is a better fit than the novice hurdle he contested last time.

11/2

5th

7

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

16:42 Taunton

Dans Chosen

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Better known as a chaser these days, with three of his four wins in that discipline gained last year; returns to hurdling over a trip short of his best and looks vulnerable.

8/1

Form: 114-PP CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Managed two C&D wins last March (soft/good), the latter off mark effectively the same as today's, but looked out of sorts when pulled up on consecutive outings last month; big leap of faith required to support him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

6th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:10 Hereford

Leskinfere

10st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: John Cornwall

Both wins gained at Huntingdon just over a year ago; not much since until remarkable performance when third at Market Rasen last week, from 33lb out of the handicap; hard to place maximum faith in that but repeat certainly makes him of serious interest.

13/2

3rd

6

29th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 34y

Class 3

14:35 Market Rasen

Leskinfere

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: John Cornwall

Two Huntingdon wins a year ago but not in that form lately and out of depth in this company (33lb out of the handicap).

66/1

7th

7

15th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:30 Huntingdon

Leskinfere

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: John Cornwall

in touch with leaders, towards rear before 3 out, pushed along after 12th

14/1

Form: 47P4-4 BF

Last run: 79 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Just a respectable fourth behind Leskinfere over C&D (soft) on chasing debut last March and not seen again until a disappointing hurdle run in October; returns here with a bit to prove but is in good hands and remains lightly raced.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

TAraison

10st 10lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Just a respectable fourth behind Leskinfere over C&D (soft) on chasing debut last March and not seen again until a disappointing hurdle run in October; returns here with a bit to prove but is in good hands and remains lightly raced.

8/1

4th

7

26th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:55 Chepstow

TAraison

10st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

in touch with leaders, not fluent and reminder 5 out, ridden and struggling before 3 out, tailed off

5/1

Form: U812-3 CD

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Ex-pointer who came good under rules with clear C&D (soft) success on Boxing Day 2021 and ran a big race in defeat when back here a few weeks later; didn't run anything like as badly as eventual 43l defeat may suggest on seasonal debut in November and the return to this track is an obvious plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

15th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:30 Huntingdon

Alright Chief

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Sam Allwood

didn't jump with fluency, in touch with leaders, towards rear 2nd

8/1

5th

6

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

Alright Chief

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Sam Allwood

Ex-pointer who came good under rules with clear C&D (soft) success on Boxing Day 2021 and ran a big race in defeat when back here a few weeks later; didn't run anything like as badly as eventual 43l defeat may suggest on seasonal debut in November and the return to this track is an obvious plus.

6/1

3rd

2

22nd Nov 2022

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

13:05 Southwell

Alright Chief

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Sam Allwood

held up in rear

11/2

Form: P1U1-1 D

Last run: 74 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
4-13 over hurdles, the latest win gained from the front on seasonal debut at Hereford (3m1f, good) in late October; pulled up on sole previous attempt at chasing (December 2021; jumped poorly) but switches back to fences on mark 1lb lower than for the hurdle win in the autumn and should be fine on today's slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

31st Jul 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:45 Newton Abbot

Manintheshadows

11st 5lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo O’Neill

didn't jump with fluency, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, went second 10th, mistake 5 out, ridden 3 out, weakened before 2 out

6/1

2nd

1

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:53 Worcester

Manintheshadows

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Four hurdle wins but was pulled up at Warwick five weeks ago, on return from a break (bled); has failed to finish either attempt over fences so plenty to prove for now.

7/1

1

31st May 2023

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Warwick

Manintheshadows

12st 1lb

J: Mr A J O’Neill

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Triple hurdle winner in 2022, the latest win gained from the front at Hereford (3m1f, good) in October; not seen since falling in a chase in January and competes off career-high mark here but has possibilities if fully tuned up; untested on ground quicker than good.

11/4

Form: 486

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 6yo who was fourth in Punchestown hunter chase (2m5f, good to yielding) on rules debut last April; safely held in two novice hurdles for new stable towards end of last year (2m4f/2m3f) but still looks interesting now back over fences for his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

17:30 Newton Abbot

Jigginstown King

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

disputed lead, badly hampered and unseated before 1st

7/1

1st

4

30th Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Jigginstown King

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

made all, jumped well, stayed on run-in, ridden out

8/1

10

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Worcester

Jigginstown King

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

disputed lead

6/1

Form: 65-PP3

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Responded well to change of headgear when third at Southwell (3m2f, good; first-time blinkers) last month but was well held in the end and the value of the form is open to question; effectively 8lb higher here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

12

20th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:25 Worcester

Chain Smoker

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Placed once from 13 starts for this yard; well beaten over fences in latest three starts; 10lb out of the handicap on return to hurdles.

66/1

6th

11

21st Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:10 Worcester

Chain Smoker

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Placed once from 12 attempts for this stable; twice well beaten at Ffos Las recently; 10lb out of the handicap.

50/1

Form: P/P-45

Last run: 225 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Maiden pointer who has shown no significant ability in maiden/novice hurdles since switched to racing under rules; makes chase/handicap debut after 225-day absence and from 34lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

Godivas Bay

10st 2lb

J: Mr James Turner

T: Tracey Leeson

Maiden pointer who has shown no significant ability in maiden/novice hurdles since switched to racing under rules; makes chase/handicap debut after 225-day absence and from 34lb out of the weights.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £22.63
Tricast £517.20

Selections

RP Ratings:

Smoking Pigeon

Telegraph:

Manintheshadows

TOPSPEED:

Dan's Chosen

SPOTLIGHT:

Alright Chief

D Express:

T'Araison

POSTDATA:

Smoking Pigeon

WEST COUNTRY:

Smoking Pigeon

The Times:

Smoking Pigeon

The Guardian:

Smoking Pigeon

Daily Mirror:

Dan's Chosen

The Sun:

Manintheshadows

The Star:

Manintheshadows

Daily Record:

Manintheshadows

Daily Mail:

Alright Chief