December 16 / 14.05 Doncaster

14.05

Good To Soft

bet365 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 2m 3f 31y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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bet365 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

11/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.30
  • Place: £3.10

Form: -12222

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won on stable debut at Cartmel (2m1f, soft) in August and has run well in second on his four starts since, most recently behind Cruz Control at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft); each-way contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

6th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

16:32 Kelso

Glory And Honour

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Has won four chases, the latest off 1lb lower at Hexham last June (1m7f, good); good second following a break at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good); should go well again.

5/1

2nd

6

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:42 Newcastle

Glory And Honour

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won off this mark at Hexham (2m, good; in added blinkers) last June; that was in a lower-grade contest (Class 4) and his productivity ebbed away thereafter (0-5; hurdles and fences); bit to prove off a 190-day absence; likely to draw benefit from this comeback run.

5/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 14-251 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Bumper and two-time novice hurdle winner who beat Glory And Honour by just under 2l to win at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last month on third chase start; 5lb higher in a better race today but is only six and could continue to improve.
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

7/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 120-31 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
His jumping has lacked fluency on his two chase starts but that didn't stop him from winning at Wetherby (1m7f, soft); won at 2m3f over hurdles, and ran well on good to soft ground, and this unexposed 6yo is open to further improvement for a trainer who remains in fantastic form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

Cerendipity

11st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Well treated on his best form, now 9lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) in March 2025, but he has been struggling, including with his jumping; cheekpieces off, tongue-strap on.

12/1

9th

4

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Cerendipity

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Has lacked fluency at times this season; otherwise an interesting type as he's on a very handy mark and this looks the time to catch him (gained last two wins in spring months).

9/1

5th

12

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Cerendipity

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Yet to score this term but he arrives in decent nick, scuppered by a bad error when sixth over C&D last month; possibilities off a 2lb lower mark.

20/1

Form: 647-P1 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Reportedly benefited from the use of earplugs when returning to form with a small-field win at Wetherby (1m7f, heavy) four weeks ago; won over 2m3f and on good ground over hurdles and this 7yo could have more to offer now that things have clicked again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

23rd Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

15:20 Cartmel

Findthetime

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Stuart Coltherd

Regressive 9yo who ought to have been favoured by the soft ground when never-dangerous fourth (about 19l behind Dusky Days) here (2m6f) last month; on a very good mark now but needs to stage a revival.

14/1

2

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Findthetime

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Stuart Coltherd

Took step back in right direction when respectable fifth at Worcester (2m7f, good) this month and has the services of James Bowen again here but this regressive 9yo is patently not the force of old; others preferred.

14/1

Form: 32410- C

Last run: 245 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
He's the only one without chasing experience and he was tailed off on his handicap hurdle debut at Aintree (3m) in April when last seen; however, had wind surgery since and had previously shown considerable promise in novice hurdles (won over 2m3f here); lightly raced and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Henrys Friend

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Seems best making the running or racing prominently; his six races in the last 14 months have been a mixed bag, with an Ascot win (3m, good) in November the highlight; just 1lb higher today and ran respectably on penultimate start, but his two earlier attempts at 3m6f/4m did not work out; a tongue-tie (worn twice in 2023, with a win on first occasion) returns.

16/1

9th

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Henrys Friend

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Back to form when 5l behind Deep Cave last time at Ascot (3m, good to soft) but he does look vulnerable to better-treated opposition, for all that he's just 2lb higher than for November's win at Ascot; likely to race on the front end.

14/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Henrys Friend

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Record of 4-9 over fences, his best form when winning by 6l at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft; 5lb higher today); disadvantaged when slowly away (from a standing start) in the Ultima at Cheltenham and yet still made a challenge three out before fading; never got competitive in the Scottish National but he wasn't alone; a stiff 3m around here looks up his street; shortlisted.

15/2

Form: -13162 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-3 over fences when winning at Bangor (2m4f, good) in September and was suited by going back left-handed when neck runner-up at Ayr (2m4f, good to soft) last time; could be in the mix once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Vintage Fizz

10st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Ran quite well to be fourth in this last year when 7lb higher; however, he hasn't won since 2023 and the questions are mounting up.

12/1

7th

7

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Worcester

Vintage Fizz

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Went close at Market Rasen (2m5f) in June but behind Courtland back there next time and has since disappointed at Stratford; losing run is mounting up.

10/1

2

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:57 Stratford

Vintage Fizz

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

On a losing run but went close at Market Rasen (2m5f) in June and was not beaten far in valuable Summer Plate over that C&D (again on good) last month; will be fine on this left-handed track; no surprise if he features.

11/2

Form: 5315-4 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo who impressed when winning a novice hurdle here (2m3f, good) in March and could improve for last month's chase debut here (3m, good); however, he was well beaten and this is a tough race in which to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

2nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 31y

Class 5

16:15 Doncaster

Gentle Frank

11st 13lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Henry Oliver

Point runner-up who won a novice hurdle here (2m3f, good) in March 2023; however, he struggled on his two chase starts in late 2023 and it's been the same story over hurdles this winter, following an absence.

14/1

7

12th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:03 Hereford

Gentle Frank

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Henry Oliver

Well beaten in two chases in his only races last season and no show when he reverted to hurdling last month after a 406-day absence; hard to latch on to unless he's been strong in the market.

25/1

5

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:32 Uttoxeter

Gentle Frank

11st 7lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Henry Oliver

always behind

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 11/6-2 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Returned from a year off with a good second at Plumpton (2m3f, good to soft) in October on his second chase start; this unexposed 7yo is in good hands to progress and could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Deeper Blue

10st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: David Pipe

towards rear, not fluent 4th

20/1

7

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Deeper Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Runner-up in three of his five chases and latest Newbury conqueror (2m7f, good to soft) was well handicapped on a going day; there was near enough 10l back to Abuffalosoldier who had been 2-2 at that track; it's probably strong form for the grade and this 8yo is just 3lb higher now tried in cheekpieces.

6/1

7

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Deeper Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Runner-up in three of his five chases and latest Newbury conqueror (2m7f, good to soft) was well handicapped on a going day; there was near enough 10l back to Abuffalosoldier who had been 2-2 at that track; it's probably strong form for the grade and this 8yo is just 3lb higher now tried in cheekpieces.

6/1

Form: 21P-2 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Novice hurdle winner who was second on last month's chase debut at Lingfield (2m4f, good to soft) when back from an absence; he was no match for the winner but it was still a promising run from this very lightly raced 6yo and he may well build on it this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

16th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 3

14:05 Doncaster

Mister Who

10st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Toby Lawes

prominent, awkward jump 3rd, bad mistake 10th, fell 11th

9/2

2nd

6

14th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Lingfield

Mister Who

11st 9lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Toby Lawes

Just four career starts; won the novice hurdle on this card a year ago but pulled up on handicap debut the following month and absent since; could be a threat if all's well on chasing debut.

13/2

4

7th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Warwick

Mister Who

11st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Toby Lawes

Delivered on earlier promise when game winner of Lingfield novice hurdle (2m3f, soft) a year ago; off since poor run on handicap hurdle debut on New Year's Eve but could have significant untapped potential over fences.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £72.70
Straight Forecast £58.14
Tricast £205.48
Trifecta £359.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Cerendipity

SPOTLIGHT:

Deeper Blue

The Guardian:

Mister Who

The Sun:

Vintage Fizz

The Times:

Henry's Friend

POSTDATA:

Findthetime

Daily Mail:

Mister Who

Telegraph:

Cerendipity

D Express:

Cerendipity

Daily Mirror:

Cerendipity

The Star:

Cerendipity

Daily Record:

Vintage Fizz

TOPSPEED:

Deeper Blue

WEST COUNTRY:

Deeper Blue