December 26 / 15.05 Kempton

15.05

Soft

Ladbrokes Get Your £1 Free Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13615
  • 2m 4f 110y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Ladbrokes Get Your £1 Free Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 12P3-5 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Disappointing favourite in similar event at Newbury (2m) on chase/seasonal debut but may well improve with the outing under his belt; decent novice hurdler last season and is suited by sharp tracks; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

15:00 Ayr

Balco Coastal

11st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent, led after 2nd, headed 8th, led again 10th, joined 4 out, weakened quickly 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

2/1

7th

2

16th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 168y

Class 1

13:30 Cheltenham

Balco Coastal

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent

10/1

2nd

1

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 10y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Balco Coastal

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

jumped left on occasions, led, disputed lead after 6th, prominent from 9th

7/2

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 367-12 C BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Made all in similar event at Sandown (2m4f, soft) on reappearance and wasn't disgraced at Ascot later in November; now returns to the scene of his brightest hurdles moment (won the 2020 Adonis); major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:10 Kempton

Solo

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who appears to have regressed but heavy ground may have been too much at Sandown three weeks ago and prior to that he was a fair fourth at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); his two biggest wins have come at Kempton and he's one to consider now back here off a dangerous mark.

15/2

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 31-271 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Proved suited by the switch to chasing at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month and is open to further progress over fences; however, has a bit to prove back against males, having gained all wins in mares' races.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:10 Perth

Panic Attack

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Ran in the Grand National 11 days ago, badly hampered at the second fence and falling at the third; won two high-profile handicaps last November before Listed win at Newbury and the drop back to 2m4f didn't appear ideal at the Cheltenham Festival; leading claims if none the worse for last time.

2/5

31

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Panic Attack

10st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

10yo who is better than ever this term, including with a big handicap double in November in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) and Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); dropping back to 2m4f, however, was probably not ideal when creditable third in mares' race at Cheltenham last month; 8lb higher than in the Newbury race but her dominance that day is hard to forget.

15/2

3rd

7

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Panic Attack

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

10yo who has been better than ever this term, completing a notable handicap double in November in the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2m4f, soft; here) and the Coral Gold Cup (3m2f, good to soft) before easily completing a hat-trick in a Listed mares' chase (2m7f, good to soft); the drop back in trip isn't an obvious plus but rain would aid her cause and she's entitled to respect.

11/4

Form: 4F-214 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Well treated on best hurdles form, including an emphatic win at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in October; however, has a question to answer back over fences (failed to fire in two attempts last term).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

19:30 Newton Abbot

Lord Baddesley

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Rather lost his way last season after winning at Newbury in October and last week's Fakenham run was an all-time low; tries a visor this time, but blinkers and cheekpieces did nothing for him.

8/1

6th

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Lord Baddesley

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Easily won three-runner race at Newbury (2m4f, good) in October but subsequent form last season was underwhelming; well handicapped now (even from 1lb out of the weights) and will probably be okay back at 3m but needs the new cheekpieces to perk him up.

11/2

7th

15

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Lord Baddesley

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Easily won three-runner handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good) on reappearance; jumped left when 6l third of four at right-handed Ascot (2m5f, good) next time, and his 13l sixth of nine at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) came in a race that worked out extremely well; heavy going excuses him being tailed off at Warwick and he could go well now back on better ground.

25/1

Form: 10-411 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Seeking a hat-trick having won handicap chases at Wincanton (2m4f, good/good to firm) last month, both under Angus Cheleda; hurdles win came on soft; open to further improvement over fences and warrants respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Don Alvaro

11st 11lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Dual 2m4f course winner in November 2022; back on a good mark now but looked out of sorts when returning from long absence at Fakenham in December and his current ability is tricky to gauge; sports first-time cheekpieces.

14/1

Form: 161-14 D BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Generally progressive this year, including a win at Bangor (2m4f, good to soft) on chase debut; however, subsequent defeat at Uttoxeter was a step backwards and he's opposed after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Arizona Cardinal

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

midfield in centre of group

20/1

10th

5

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Arizona Cardinal

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

midfield in centre of group

20/1

Form: 616-42

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Gained his hurdles wins over 2m; below best over 2m4f at Sandown (behind Solo) and 2m2f at this track (distant second) since switched to fences; still has a bit to prove at this sort of trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

Hudson De Grugy

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Brings very strong credentials to this series final, having posted sound performances over C&D (good to soft) in last two starts, comfortably defying top weight latest; 2-6 overall for current yard; respected.

6/1

1st

1

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Hudson De Grugy

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Back in good form for his current yard, landing 3m handicap chase at Wetherby in December and posting a good second of seven over C&D last time; very much one to consider off an unchanged mark.

7/2

Form: 0-8332 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Campaigned at 2m7f-3m1f since switched to fences, most recently a distant second at Cheltenham where his jumping lacked fluency; has not improved for chasing and this sharp 2m4f isn't sure to help matters.
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

Form: 113-P1

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Ran well in the Dovecote here last season and scored easily at Doncaster (2m3f, good) on latest hurdles start; however, 12lb rise leaves him with a tougher task off top weight on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

4th Jul 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 170y

14:05 Tipperary

Galore Desassences

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Former Nigel Hawke-trained gelding made a bright start for the stable when second over hurdles at Fairyhouse in April; switch to chasing (second roll of the dice) at Wexford worked out reasonably well when third behind Watch House Cross (facile winner on next start) and if he brushes his jumping up another notch here, he could be one to have on your side; should take high rank.

9/4

2

19th Jun 2023

Good

2m 3f 100y

19:13 Kilbeggan

Galore Desassences

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Four-time winner in UK is rated 140 over hurdles after a fine run in defeat on debut for this yard; however, didn't jump well on second chase start last time and needs a fair bit more.

3/1

2

29th May 2023

Good

2m 1f 0y

18:00 Ballinrobe

Galore Desassences

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Form: 42-F23

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Useful 2m hurdler who won the Greatwood last term; hindered by jumping right in novice chases at Warwick the last twice; interesting off a handy mark back at handicap level and returned to a clockwise track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

17th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

West Cork

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Pulled up over fences the last twice and something to prove regarding current form, but the return to hurdles could be just what he needs and he's well treated on last season's best form in this sphere; in calculations.

11/4

2

9th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 2

16:10 Huntingdon

West Cork

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

Last win came in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November 2021; feasibly treated despite being 5lb higher and he'll probably be glad to see the back of fences; couldn't be too dismissive.

4/1

6

27th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

West Cork

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Returned from long absence to win major handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (2m, good) in November 2021 and made quite promising chasing debut in November last year, but his run at Kempton on Boxing Day was disappointing and he returns from wind surgery with a point to prove.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.10
Straight Forecast £20.14
Tricast £123.58
Trifecta £165.40

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Balco Coastal

RP Ratings:

Don Alvaro

SPOTLIGHT:

Solo

D Express:

Galore Desassences

Telegraph:

Hudson De Grugy

Daily Record:

Panic Attack

LAMBOURN:

Balco Coastal

The Times:

Balco Coastal

The Guardian:

Balco Coastal

Daily Mail:

Balco Coastal

The Sun:

Balco Coastal

Daily Mirror:

Don Alvaro

The Star:

Don Alvaro

POSTDATA:

Solo

WEST COUNTRY:

Solo