December 26 / 14.22 Huntingdon

14.22

Good To Soft

Visit racingtv.com Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 2m 3f 189y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Visit racingtv.com Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 2-7212 CD BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
13th time lucky when winning over C&D last month, taking a while to get organised but well on top at the finish; similar form when second at Wetherby 23 days ago; should run his race but others may have more potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:45 Huntingdon

William Cody

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Gained three of four chase wins over C&D and returns here after going close on final two starts last season (2m4f/2m3f; wore cheekpieces last time); holds no secrets from the handicapper but will be fine on the forecast good ground and has obvious claims.

5/2

2nd

4

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

William Cody

11st 9lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

He's run well to be second on two of his last three starts (2m3f/2m4f, good/soft), most recently at Southwell four weeks ago; he's 4lb higher than last time but was clear with a progressive winner; high on the list.

3/1

2nd

5

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

14:55 Southwell

William Cody

11st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Third in this last year; four-time chase winner (all at about this trip) but hasn't scored since November 2024; close second at Catterick (2m3f, good) on penultimate start but lesser efforts either side of that; remains below his last winning mark and holds each-way claims again.

4/1

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: -04133 BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Bumper and 2m2f chase winner in France this year; disappointing favourite when remote third on last month's British debut at Ffos Las (3m, soft) but today's drop back in trip may show him in a better light and it will be interesting to see whether he's strong in the betting again; usual tongue-tie returns, having been absent last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

Icaque De LIsle

11st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Overall chase record of 2-16; dug deep to win over a trip just shy of 3m at Lingfield (soft; 5lb lower) and 3m6f on heavy found him out at Exeter a month ago; may prefer softer ground in an ideal world but hard to rule out.

3/1

6

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Icaque De LIsle

10st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

2-2 on heavy going (one in Britain); first chase win was in France in 2022 and it was his 12th attempt in a British chase when he finally won one at Lingfield (extended 2m7f, soft) last month; back up 5lb for this first appearance beyond 3m1f, so others appear more solid.

7/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 4323F- BF

Last run: 252 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Point winner in March 2020; promise in handicap hurdles last winter but he has been off since falling here in April (looked held at the time); should make a chaser and interesting to see how he fares in the betting.
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

Form: 2326-3

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won sole Irish point; 0-8 under rules but showed promise over hurdles last season; her jumping left plenty to be desired on last month's seasonal/chase debut but it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see her fare much better today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

River Tyne

12st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

10lb higher than when taking this race 12 months ago but won again here on Boxing Day off this mark; not the most consistent of mares but she's dangerous to discount given her liking for the track.

7/1

1

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

River Tyne

12st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

10lb higher than when taking this race 12 months ago but won again here on Boxing Day off this mark; not the most consistent of mares but she's dangerous to discount given her liking for the track.

7/1

3rd

3

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:48 Exeter

River Tyne

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

pressed leader, prominent from 3rd, went second again 11th, lost second 4 out, weakened after 3 out

100/30

Form: 32-431

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Placed in both runs in Irish points and he didn't waste much time over hurdles; better effort at the second attempt over fences when gamely scoring at Taunton (2m7f, good) 18 days ago; still has time to do better but this sharp test at the trip might not play to his strengths.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Airtothethrone

12st 7lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Billy Aprahamian

With new yard for last two outings and contributed to their recent good form with a C&D win (good to soft) from Another Lord ten days ago, with his usual tongue-tie removed; has 7lb penalty and a 7lb claimer is recruited; probably as good as ever but a bit more may be needed from him.

9/2

3rd

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Airtothethrone

12st 7lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Billy Aprahamian

With new yard for last two outings and contributed to their recent good form with a C&D win (good to soft) from Another Lord ten days ago, with his usual tongue-tie removed; has 7lb penalty and a 7lb claimer is recruited; probably as good as ever but a bit more may be needed from him.

9/2

1st

2

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Airtothethrone

12st 0lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Rather inconsistent for Tim Vaughan since Taunton win in 2022 and made low-key stable debut last month, but has possibilities in this lower grade if that recent outing brought him on.

8/1

Form: 3/4-57

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Hurdle winner in France; he has looked in the grip of the handicapper in three starts over fences for Paul Nicholls, inclined to over-race and not jumping fluently; possible that things will click at some point but the jury is out for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:00 Taunton

All Dancer

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

took keen hold, midfield, headway and led 8th, headed 4 out, pushed along and lost second just before 3 out, soon weakened

6/1

6th

2

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

14:22 Huntingdon

All Dancer

11st 13lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Paul Nicholls

Hurdle winner in France; he has looked in the grip of the handicapper in three starts over fences for Paul Nicholls, inclined to over-race and not jumping fluently; possible that things will click at some point but the jury is out for now.

8/1

7th

7

3rd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

13:02 Chepstow

All Dancer

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

French hurdle winner over 2m2f on very soft in October 2020; missed all of 2021 and has found little for pressure in 2m chases this year, in January and October; the first-time tongue-tie offers hope but is risky.

12/1

Form: 75/U-3

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
0-12 when trained in Ireland (four points and eight hurdle runs); didn't run badly on his stable debut at Lingfield last month (2m7f hurdle; soft) but did not look ahead of his mark; hopes pinned on the switch to chasing having a positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

6th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

16:45 Catterick

Drop Him In

12st 2lb

J: Mr Tom Hutsby

T: F A Hutsby

Others have shown considerably more under rules and his three runner-up finishes in point-to-points this winter represent relatively modest form; however, at least he arrives in good heart whereas many of these have something to prove at present; not ruled out each-way.

25/1

4th

2

8th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

16:55 Uttoxeter

Drop Him In

11st 13lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Olly Murphy

in touch with leaders, not fluent 8th, pushed along and headway before 3 out, ridden and weakening when squeezed out before 2 out

9/2

6th

5

12th May 2023

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Drop Him In

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Only win came at Huntingdon in March (2m7f, good to soft; second won next time); went up 8lb and didn't fare quite so well next time; cheekpieces now on again (finished seventh of eight after being hampered the last time he wore them).

9/2

Form: P4P-31 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Two wins over hurdles; low-key chase debut over C&D last month (first run for 260 days and after wind surgery) but he showed his true colours with a narrow front-running success at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago; that form hasn't been franked and a 5lb rise could find him out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

26th Aug 2024

Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

14:52 Cartmel

The Knot Is Tied

10st 7lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Ryan Potter

Became very disappointing for Neil King last year and has been soundly beaten in two Flat races, a chase and a hurdle for new stable this spring; has huge amount to prove but still worth a glance in the betting.

16/1

6th

6

1st Jun 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

19:07 Hexham

The Knot Is Tied

10st 9lb

J: Miss Ella McGarty-Jones

T: Ryan Potter

Flat, hurdle and chase winner at up to 2m4f; not ground dependent; below par in two Flat starts and a chase since joining this trainer; others preferred.

16/1

3rd

8

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

The Knot Is Tied

10st 12lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Ryan Potter

Very versatile 9yo who has two chases among his seven career wins; signed off for Neil King with some disappointing efforts over jumps last spring and was well beaten on both Flat starts for new stable last month; considered only if lively in the betting.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.80
Straight Forecast £26.57
Tricast £85.25
Trifecta £137.90

Selections

RP Ratings:

William Cody

WEST COUNTRY:

Smoking Pigeon

SPOTLIGHT:

Icaque De L'Isle

POSTDATA:

Airtothethrone

The Star:

The Knot Is Tied

D Express:

Icaque De L'Isle

TOPSPEED:

William Cody

Telegraph:

William Cody

Daily Mail:

William Cody

Daily Mirror:

William Cody

The Sun:

Airtothethrone

The Times:

Smoking Pigeon

The Guardian:

Smoking Pigeon

Daily Record:

The Knot Is Tied