December 10 / 13.15 Cheltenham

13.15

Good

Lycetts Insurance Brokers Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 0f 62y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Lycetts Insurance Brokers Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

OUR TIP

Form: 114P-3 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Normally a front-runner; has form figures of 1143 over 2m at Cheltenham, which include a win in this race under Niall Houlihan 12 months ago; ridden less positively than usual when 13l third of seven here on reappearance in October; should be at concert pitch now and makes plenty of appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

14:40 Doncaster

Editeur Du Gite

10st 13lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

led, headed then prominent 5th, pressed leader before 4 out, weakened after 4 out

14/1

Form: 12F-15 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Second-season chaser who posted a personal best when scoring at Ascot (2m1f, good) in October; however, he was only fifth of seven off his revised mark over the same C&D three weeks ago and needs to hit a new high.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

15th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:50 Cheltenham

Thyme White

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Second-season chaser who readily won a Grade 3 Ascot handicap (2m1f, good; reappearance) in October; not in quite the same form when fifth of seven back there the following month; absent since but clearly capable when fresh; has won on soft but his peak RPRs have been achieved on good ground; yard has won this contest four times.

14/1

5th

3

19th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 2

15:15 Ascot

Thyme White

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Second-season chaser who readily beat Frero Banbou in Grade 3 handicap over C&D (good) three weeks ago, taking record in completed starts over fences to 2-4; looks open to further improvement in this sphere; has won on slow ground; big player despite 7lb rise.

4/1

Form: 123-46 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Dual 2m Grade 2 winner on good ground last season, including at Cheltenham; not at his best in two runs this term, finishing a place behind Thyme White at Ascot on latest, but he has since had a breathing operation and now figures on an attractive mark; serious contender under optimum conditions if the wind surgery has had a positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Third Time Lucki

10st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Had his troubles after such a promising start over fences for the Skeltons but he's back in the good books after small-field handicap wins at Bangor and Uttoxeter (both on good ground; effective on softer); returns to far classier company here and may be found wanting.

9/1

1st

2

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Third Time Lucki

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has regressed since showing such smart form for the Skeltons but looked back on good terms with himself when comfortably accounting for Fringill Dike at Bangor (2m1f, good), having led from halfway; back up 9lb but might well have turned a corner.

3/1

1st

5

17th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

14:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Third Time Lucki

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Very well handicapped on old form but, following a long absence, did not really fire on any of five starts for new stable last season; not beaten far when last of five in Ascot race won by Coastguard Station in March and another 5lb lower here but still needs to up his game.

13/2

Abandoned

Form: 817-22 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Five-time chase winner (all on right-handed tracks) but not quite the force of old; respectable second of five in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last time after six months off; may need more if he's to go one better here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Kempton

Dolos

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened quickly, pulled up 2 out

4/1

5th

1

2nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Dolos

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Pulled up about two months ago at Sandown, the venue for three of his last four wins; it's hard to be confident on this first run since but he fared respectably on his two other starts this season and has edged down to a handy mark; versatile ground-wise and not ruled out if bouncing back.

7/1

1

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

13:45 Sandown

Dolos

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

10yo with a remarkable record in this race, winning it for the third time 12 months ago and narrowly beaten on two other occasions; 3lb higher than last year but he's well treated on old form and a third in the Desert Orchid at Kempton last time suggests he arrives here in good form; high on the list.

11/4

Abandoned

Form: 83-UFP D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Useful on his day when with Joseph O'Brien but often let down by his jumping of late; pulled up early on in the Haldon Gold Cup five weeks ago; runs off a career-low mark but has enough to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

25th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:35 Taunton

Us And Them

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Joe Ponting

prominent, weakened before 2 out

50/1

5

21st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Warwick

Us And Them

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Joe Ponting

Smart chaser in his prime but absent since 38l defeat on stable debut at Sedgefield in November 2023; reverts to hurdling on a very tempting mark but it takes a leap of faith to support him.

33/1

5th

1

16th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 65y

Class 4

13:25 Sedgefield

Us And Them

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joe Ponting

Had some smart form over fences when trained by Joseph O'Brien including when runner-up in the 2019 Arkle, but not at the same level now and was last seen finishing third of five in a claiming hurdle for Alan Jones at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) in March; makes his debut for another new yard after eight months off and lots to prove.

14/1

Form: 2112-5 D

Last run: 183 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Progressive early this year, winning twice over 2m at Hereford (good/soft), but he went up in the weights and was only fifth of seven at Newton Abbot when last seen in June; further improvement possible but necessary; first preference is the 1.57 at Hereford.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Prince Escalus

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed most of last season but returned from nine-month break with quite encouraging third (albeit well held in the end) at Perth (2m, good to soft) last month; on a good mark and will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; contender if that recent outing has brought him on.

9/2

4th

4

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Prince Escalus

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed most of last season but returned from nine-month break with quite encouraging third (albeit well held in the end) at Perth (2m, good to soft) last month; on a good mark and will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; contender if that recent outing has brought him on.

9/2

3rd

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Prince Escalus

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Absent since below-par effort in the 2024 Summer Plate and hasn't won for over two years; however, he's well treated on best form and market support should be noted.

10/1

Form: 482P-4 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Nine wins in a varied career but his record over fences reads just 1-10; beaten 15l by Thyme White at Ascot (2m1f, good) six weeks ago; needs to have benefited from subsequent wind surgery and the return of a tongue-strap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

16th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 3

19:35 Aintree

Gumball

11st 6lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Wasn't in the best of form in second half of last season; on a fair mark now, but others stronger.

9/1

8th

2

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

Gumball

11st 13lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

A case can be made on plenty of his form, but he didn't impress with his finishing effort in handicap chases at Ascot or Ludlow before finishing well held on the AW and again back over hurdles a month ago.

25/1

6th

1

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:15 Stratford

Gumball

12st 2lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

A case can be made on plenty of his form, but he didn't impress with his finishing effort in handicap chases at Ascot or Ludlow before finishing well held on the AW; reservations.

5/1

Form: 123-42 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Took well to chasing towards the end of last season, winning at Exeter (2m3f, soft) and third in Aintree festival Grade 1 (2m4f, good to soft); has not quite repeated that form this term, although a 14l second at Newbury (2m4f, good) two weeks ago was no disgrace; today's drop back in trip should not inconvenience him; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

17

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

The Widdow Maker

10st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Joe Tizzard

Won in a small field at Exeter (2m3f, good) last March before 17l sixth in this race (good); he's run well in defeat on both starts this season but needs something extra if he's to come out on top today.

14/1

3rd

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

The Widdow Maker

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Returned to form with small-field win at Exeter (2m3f, good) in March, his third run after a long absence; only 1lb higher here but he wasn't at his best in veterans' series final at Haydock in April and may not be one to rely upon heavily nowadays.

10/1

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

The Widdow Maker

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Returned to form with small-field win at Exeter (2m3f, good) in March, his third run after a long absence; only 1lb higher here but he wasn't at his best in veterans' series final at Haydock in April and may not be one to rely upon heavily nowadays.

10/1

Verdict

This looks a fine opportunity for last year’s winner EDITEUR DU GITE (nap) to enhance his good Cheltenham record. He was ridden less positively here in October but could be hard to catch with front-running tactics reapplied. If recent wind surgery has had a positive effect, Third Time Lucki (second choice) and Gumball may provide the sternest opposition.[Richard O’Brien]

Selections

RP Ratings:

Dolos

SPOTLIGHT:

Editeur Du Gite

The Times:

Third Time Lucki

The Star:

The Widdow Maker

The Guardian:

Thyme White

TOPSPEED:

Gumball

Daily Mirror:

Third Time Lucki

Daily Mail:

Editeur Du Gite

D Express:

Editeur Du Gite

Daily Record:

Editeur Du Gite

POSTDATA:

Dolos

WEST COUNTRY:

Dolos

Telegraph:

Dolos

The Sun:

Dolos