December 10 / 12.40 Cheltenham

12.40

Good

bearrene.com Novices’ Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 2m 4f 127y
  • Class 2
  • 3 runners
RTV
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bearrene.com Novices’ Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 3 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

Form: 30-833 C

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Effective hurdler under these conditions and has made a satisfactory start to life over fences on last three starts; second to an impressive winner in three-runner race here on Friday; the lowest rated of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Worcester

Art Approval

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Joe Tickle

Placed twice (once over C&D) for Ralph Smith when cheekpieces were refitted this summer and has claims if judged on those efforts, but needs to rebound from last month's underwhelming stable debut.

20/1

8th

1

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Worcester

Art Approval

12st 1lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Joe Tickle

Hasn't won for ages but twice placed this summer (2m7f/2m6f) for Ralph Smith and can go well again off this mark provided another change of stable doesn't rock the boat.

7/1

2nd

7

2nd Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

19:40 Stratford

Art Approval

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Ralph J Smith

Returned from break with two fairly respectable runs towards the end of last season (2m3f/2m4f) and another when third over 2m7f in the refitted cheekpieces at Worcester one month ago; not the force of old and has not won since 2021 but has place claims.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: /542-2

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
The best of these over hurdles, having won a Grade 1 during his juvenile season and runner-up to Epatante in another top-level race at Aintree (2m4f) this April; unable to cope with Jonbon on his chase debut at Warwick, but no disgrace in that and his jumping was safe enough; should be hard to beat if okay on the ground (good to soft ideal).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Monmiral

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

2024 Pertemps Final winner but that was off 8lb lower; contested two Grade 1s last spring, before a wind operation (his second) and heavy defeat when returned to fences three months ago (easily his worst chase performance); Freddie Keighley takes off 7lb on this return to a handicap.

9/1

6th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Monmiral

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Creditable fifth to Gwennie May Boy on this card last year, having won the Pertemps Final (3m, soft) the time before; creditable second in Grade 2 contests the last twice but this is harder; well beaten in this race in 2023.

40/1

6th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Monmiral

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Creditable fifth to Gwennie May Boy on this card last year, having won the Pertemps Final (3m, soft) the time before; creditable second in Grade 2 contests the last twice but this is harder; well beaten in this race in 2023.

40/1

Form: 1O-221 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Progressive hurdler last season; flattered by her proximity to last week's Grade 2 winner Pic D'Orhy on chase debut on good ground at Newton Abbot (winner conceded lumps of weight) but still ran really well and then made the most of a straightforward opening at Fontwell (2m3f, soft); probably relying on Monmiral being off his game if she's to follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

12th Feb 2023

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 1

15:00 Exeter

Kissesforkatie

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

prominent, went second after 13th, pushed along before 4 out, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and 2 lengths down, no extra approaching last

5/4

2nd

1

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

12:18 Wincanton

Kissesforkatie

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Progressive hurdler who has made a pleasing start over fences and she jumped well when winning comfortably at Fontwell (2m3f, soft); was entitled to win that and this mark does not look beyond her; respected.

11/2

Verdict

There is no real temptation to see past MONMIRAL in a disappointing turnout for what is traditionally an informative novices’ chase. Comfortably the best hurdler of the three, he ran a pleasing first race over fences at Warwick in his vain pursuit of the Arkle favourite Jonbon. Kissesforkatie should take second prize.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Monmiral

RP Ratings:

Monmiral

TOPSPEED:

Monmiral

POSTDATA:

Monmiral

WEST COUNTRY:

Monmiral

The Times:

Monmiral

Telegraph:

Monmiral

The Guardian:

Monmiral

Daily Mail:

Monmiral

D Express:

Monmiral

Daily Mirror:

Monmiral

The Sun:

Monmiral

The Star:

Monmiral

Daily Record:

Monmiral