December 23 / 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
  • 10 runners
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Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 2574-1 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner in the mud in France but he was seen in a spectacularly new light when comfortably winning a valuable C&D handicap (soft) seven weeks ago on second run for this yard; lost momentum at the final fence, where two of his rivals (including the staying-on Yeah Man) came down when disputing second but it's not hard to think that a 4lb rise underestimates him.
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

11/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 210-2F D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Made debut under rules (after just one run in a point) last October; seen mostly over fences and was in the process of showing improved form when he fell at the final fence in major C&D handicap (soft) seven weeks ago, outpaced from six out but rallying strongly up the straight and only 2l down on Victtorino when departing; should prove well suited by further in due course but only 2lb higher today and has a big shout barring mishaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

14

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Yeah Man

10st 9lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

No ground worries; best winning day in the 2024 Grand National Trial at Haydock and he's been placed in last two editions of the Troytown in November; those were over fences but he has a much lower hurdles mark and was a close second to Duke Silver in the Leopardstown qualifier; good chance he'll be outspeeded in this but dangerous if he turns for home in contention.

20/1

12

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

15:30 Gowran Park

Yeah Man

11st 3lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won the 2024 Grand National Trial at Haydock; fine effort in third behind Stuzzikini in the 2024 Troytown and went one place better behind Answer To Kayf in this season's edition; 143-rated chaser could finish only second from a mark of 118 in a handicap hurdle at Christmas; however, the run kept him ticking over, and he could be a big player.

10/1

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:15 Limerick

Yeah Man

11st 8lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

The 2024 Grand National Trial winner at Haydock; fine effort in third behind Stuzzikini in the Troytown at Navan last November; lost form later in the campaign; plenty to find with Weveallebeencaught on Kim Muir running.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 926-U2 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; last won in early 2022 but nearly took a valuable Kempton 3m handicap in February off 2lb lower; has run creditably both starts this term, including runner-up over 2m5f here on latest; each-way chance.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 21P1-1 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Ran no race at Uttoxeter in March but has otherwise been a notable improver since joining this trainer and has won three of his five starts for him; latest was on reappearance at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft; acts on heavy) six weeks ago in the Badger Beer, with another 14l back to the third, and this 8yo demands major respect despite 6lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Blackjack Magic

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Well treated on old form but his last win was in November 2023 and he's generally struggled since then; has something to prove and all of his wins have come on good to soft or slower.

12/1

4th

4

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Blackjack Magic

11st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Ran quite well when fifth in valuable final of this veterans' series at Sandown (3m, good) in January but was well beaten there later that month and has become far too inconsistent to support with any confidence; tried in a visor for the first time.

11/2

4th

4

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Blackjack Magic

10st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Proved somewhat resurgent, following several non-completions, in the Veterans' Final over C&D on seasonal debut; however, needs to build on that effort and prove that he's still capable of peak form, on which he's admittedly well treated.

14/1

Form: 2/71-3

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced now but won at Wincanton (3m1f) in February and creditable third under Freddie Gingell over C&D four weeks ago (both on good); acts on good to soft but he was withdrawn the last five times he was due to run on soft; probably needs career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

2nd Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

17:00 Exeter

Switch Hitter

11st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: S Loxton

Very useful over fences in his prime for Paul Nicholls; last rules win was over two years ago but he's won points in his last three starts including a comfortable success (3m, good to firm) ten days ago; looks a major player now back in this sphere and yard won this in 2023 and 2024.

4/7

5

2nd Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

17:00 Exeter

Switch Hitter

11st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: S Loxton

Very useful over fences in his prime for Paul Nicholls; last rules win was over two years ago but he's won points in his last three starts including a comfortable success (3m, good to firm) ten days ago; looks a major player now back in this sphere and yard won this in 2023 and 2024.

4/7

5th

1

20th May 2024

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:43 Newton Abbot

Switch Hitter

12st 8lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful handicap chaser on good ground when on song; pulled up on consecutive outings at end of last season and needs to prove his wellbeing, but is in much calmer waters for today's hunter chase debut.

4/6

Form: 2211-1 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Won six of nine races under rules; all of his five chases have been in small fields but he looks on the up, ending last season with two wins at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January and reappearing with another at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) last month; up another 5lb and this is much more of a test but he may well pass it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

17

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Git Maker

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

The key to him is soft ground, on which he was third in this race in 2024 and had for the first time since over fences when third of 16 off today's mark to Isaac Des Obeaux in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f) on latest outing; blinkered on last two outings; each-way claims.

11/1

3rd

7

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Git Maker

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

The key to him is soft ground which he had when third in the 2024 Scottish National (4m); hasn't had his favoured conditions since then over fences and, with the ground drying out (officially good to soft) in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last time, he ran surprisingly well to be a close fifth, keeping on; the first-time blinkers fitted there, which did him no harm, are retained; chance.

8/1

5th

6

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Git Maker

10st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

10yo whose form was patchy in 2025 and he was never going well when pulled up in the Welsh National in December (3m6f, good to soft); however, today's forecast soft ground could help and he's 4lb lower than when third in the 2024 Scottish National (4m, soft); not written off in first-time blinkers.

9/1

Form: /664-1 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Very promising novice hurdler in 2020-21; unable to hit the same heights over fences last season, following a near-two-year absence, but he had wind surgery (his third) in August and reappeared with a win at Exeter (3m, good to soft) six weeks ago when he travelled much the best before hanging on by half a length; up 6lb but could have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

23rd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Make Me A Believer

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Very promising novice hurdler in 2020-21; unable to hit the same heights over fences last season, following a near-two-year absence, but he had wind surgery (his third) in August and reappeared with a win at Exeter (3m, good to soft) six weeks ago when he travelled much the best before hanging on by half a length; up 6lb but could have more to offer.

11/1

1st

8

10th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

16:00 Exeter

Make Me A Believer

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

towards rear of midfield, midfield 10th, prominent 13th, disputed lead 4 out, pushed along when led clearly 2 out, 4 lengths ahead when hung left and ridden run-in, much reduced lead towards finish, all out

9/1

4th

2

1st Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Uttoxeter

Make Me A Believer

11st 9lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

Very promising novice hurdler in 2020-21; missed all of last season but made encouraging chase/handicap debut in December (2m3f) and didn't run badly before looking a non-stayer over 3m last month; drops back in trip here and is 5lb lower now; dangerous to ignore.

7/1

14/1

Form: 6723-4 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Last two wins were over C&D (autumn 2021 and 2022) and he's effective on a range of ground; his reappearance six weeks ago was not as good as those in the previous two campaigns but he has a good mark and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Kempton

Larry

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary Moore

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

12/1

4

22nd Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Kempton

Larry

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary Moore

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

12/1

7

24th Mar 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Larry

10st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary Moore

Twice well beaten over C&D this winter, including last time, but in between he won at Plumpton and he's a two-time C&D winner who was third in this race last year; has won on a variety of ground; not ruled out.

7/1

Form: 893U11 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Initially disappointing over fences but won at Galway (2m6f, heavy) and Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) last two outings; 9lb raise demands more from him (5lb claimer is recruited) but this 6yo probably has more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 150y

20:18 Limerick

Hascoeur Clermont

10st 8lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David O’Sullivan

Two-time chase winner hasn't got his head in front since November 2023; hasn't looked like ending the dry spell in two starts for this stable; beaten 54l at Killarney latest; cheekpieces tried.

33/1

9th

7

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

19:07 Killarney

Hascoeur Clermont

11st 2lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: David O’Sullivan

Four wins, split evenly between chasing and hurdles; losing run stretches back to November 2023 and debut for this yard was forgettable, as were his final runs for previous one.

66/1

12th

14

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 198y

14:50 Thurles

Hascoeur Clermont

10st 0lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: David O’Sullivan

Four wins, split evenly between chasing and hurdles; however, losing run stretches back to November 2023; no sign of a return to the winners' enclosure in 2025 runs; makes stable debut and 1lb wrong.

25/1

Form: 2231F- D

Last run: 245 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Always front rank in novice handicap at Newbury (near 3m, good) in March to gain first chase win at seventh attempt; should stay beyond that but fell before push came to shove in the Scottish National in April when last seen; something to prove if the ground is worse than good to soft; withdrawn on intended return last month; needs improvement on chase form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:40 Down Royal

Flash Collonges

11st 10lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: R K Watson

Useful sort for Paul Nicholls early in his career; last win was March 2023; tailed off in a Downpatrick handicap hurdle in July on stable debut and has missed all three engagements since; completely out of his depth here.

150/1

3

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:40 Down Royal

Flash Collonges

11st 10lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: R K Watson

Useful sort for Paul Nicholls early in his career; last win was March 2023; tailed off in a Downpatrick handicap hurdle in July on stable debut and has missed all three engagements since; completely out of his depth here.

150/1

Non-runners

Bangers And Cash

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.20
Straight Forecast £24.66
Tricast £253.16
Trifecta £266.40

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Blackjack Magic

SPOTLIGHT:

Git Maker

The Times:

Yeah Man

RP RATINGS:

Victtorino

D Express:

Hascoeur Clermont

TOPSPEED:

Make Me A Believer

Daily Mail:

Yeah Man

POSTDATA:

Victtorino

LAMBOURN:

Git Maker

The Star:

Git Maker

Daily Record:

Git Maker

Telegraph:

Blackjack Magic

The Guardian:

Blackjack Magic

Daily Mirror:

Blackjack Magic

The Sun:

Blackjack Magic