December 26 / 13.28 Wincanton

13.28

Good To Soft

Lord Stalbridge “Festive Challenger” Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qual’)

  • Prize money: £7678.86
  • 3m 1f 30y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
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Lord Stalbridge “Festive Challenger” Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qual’)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £18.00
  • Place: £4.30

Form: 685-2P

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden who was second of three finishers at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) on his seasonal return when making his second chase start; however, pulled up here next time after a jumping error; 7lb claimer takes over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 85y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

No Hubs No Hoobs

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Joe Tizzard

Ended last season in excellent form, completing a hat-trick with clearcut success at Exeter (3m6f, heavy), but made nothing better than a satisfactory reappearance in October and was pulled up in Welsh Grand National on only subsequent appearance; still on a fairly tough mark and needs to get back in the groove.

6/1

16

27th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

No Hubs No Hoobs

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Ended last season in excellent form on heavy ground in blinkers, winning twice over 3m1f at Wincanton before drawing 6l clear over an extended 3m6f at Exeter; should have come on markedly since October reappearance and this is only his second run over a marathon trip; could have more to offer, though seemingly the deeper the ground the better it is for him.

16/1

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 3126-2 C

Last run: 52 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Form figures 22111 at this track in a bumper and over hurdles (latest win on soft); struggled over fences to begin with last season (two attempts) but did well with cheekpieces back over hurdles and went down by a neck at Exeter last month when having another go at chasing; taking the final fence slowly probably cost him in the latter and he has more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Sizable Sam

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Jeremy Scott

Veteran who is hard to predict but he may have had stamina issues when pulled up in the Devon National (3m7f) and he ran well over an inadequate 2m3f (good to soft) on his penultimate run; this trip is a much better fit and he's well handicapped on old form; not ruled out in new headgear.

7/1

4

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Sizable Sam

11st 1lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

11yo who has had some layoffs; unseated at the first fence on November reappearance; fifth of ten here eight days later, when 2m3f was probably far too short, was a step back in the right direction and his sole chase win (from ten attempts) was at this track, but he's yet to prove himself beyond 3m1f (tailed off once over 3m2f); acts on soft but not the percentage call.

14/1

5th

9

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:45 Wincanton

Sizable Sam

10st 12lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

in touch with leaders, outpaced when mistake 4 out

10/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 1/P31/ CD

Last run: 674 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Chasing on last three starts, winning over C&D (heavy) on third occasion; that was in February 2021 and he's unraced since, but he's well handicapped on that performance and worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

8th Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

17:08 Wincanton

Golden Sovereign

11st 4lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

3m2f winner on soft ground but hasn't been at his best this season following wind surgery, from 3m to 3m6f; tongue-tie joins cheekpieces sported the last twice; others appeal more.

7/1

5th

4

8th Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

17:08 Wincanton

Golden Sovereign

11st 4lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

3m2f winner on soft ground but hasn't been at his best this season following wind surgery, from 3m to 3m6f; tongue-tie joins cheekpieces sported the last twice; others appeal more.

7/1

5th

3

21st Mar 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 4

15:15 Chepstow

Golden Sovereign

11st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

3m2f winner on soft ground but hasn't offered a great deal when sent further; has yet to get going this season and the cheekpieces didn't appear to have much of an effect when a tailed-off third at Exeter last month.

6/1

Form: 412362

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Best form had been at 2m4f before his creditable second of 11 in first-time cheekpieces at Sandown early this month over 3m5f; acts on good to soft and went close as a hurdler on soft; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Planned Paradise

11st 6lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Bounced back to form and won soft-ground marathons at Banger (3m5f) and Hexham (4m) in February/March; pulled up (lame) in early stages at Plumpton last time but has made the frame in the last two editions of this race (both on good ground) and can make his presence felt again.

7/1

8

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Planned Paradise

10st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Exploited a reduced mark to win at Bangor (3m5f, soft) in February and again had plenty in hand at Hexham (4m, soft) 12 days ago; this is a hotter race than last time and this 10yo is up 10lb, but he's clearly in rude health and could be bang there once more; handles any ground.

7/1

1st

6

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Planned Paradise

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Christian Williams

Exploited a reduced mark to win readily at Bangor (extended 3m5f, soft) four weeks ago; on last season's evidence a 9lb rise is unlikely to stop him if he can back up that latest performance; high on the list.

3/1

Form: 73P4-2 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Not the force of old but he has plummeted in the weights and therefore remains capable of a bold show, as on reappearance under Lily Bradstock at Sandown this month; has a mixed record on soft/heavy but won his only start here (2020) and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

9th Jul 2023

Good

3m 3f 123y

Class 4

17:50 Market Rasen

Step Back

11st 5lb

J: Miss Lily Bradstock

T: Mark Bradstock

Front-runner who stays well; thrown in today if judged even on the form shown on his first two starts last season (one on good); however, easily his best show in hunter chases since came when second at Carlisle in March (3m, heavy) and such a poor show at Cartmel last time has to be a major concern.

10/1

7th

7

31st May 2023

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:20 Cartmel

Step Back

12st 0lb

J: Miss Lily Bradstock

T: Mark Bradstock

Best hunter chase run when creditable second at Carlisle in March (3m, heavy); well beaten in the Aintree Foxhunters next time; each-way chance.

4/1

12

5th May 2023

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:45 Cheltenham

Step Back

11st 12lb

J: Miss Lily Bradstock

T: Mark Bradstock

Won Sandown's big end-of-season finale in 2018 and took two further handicaps in 2020; nearly won a hunter chase at Carlisle in March but a weaker one than this, and he's always been a more potent force going right-handed.

12/1

Form: 5-1435 D

Last run: 71 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Non-stayer over 3m5f last time, having run creditably the time before; left Dr Newland for £10,000 in early November; last 15 starts have been on good ground and there would be a big question over him on soft or heavy; blinkered last three starts, now reverts to cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Bbold

11st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

midfield, headway before 4 out, went second last, no extra final 110yds

3/1

1st

6

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:35 Stratford

Bbold

11st 3lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Not the force of old but running well at present and latest third over 3m3f here was in a higher grade; might find this trip shorter than ideal but should again be competitive.

5/1

3rd

10

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Bbold

10st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Not as good as he was but doesn't arrive here in bad form and he should have finished closer (beaten 7l) last time at Southwell (3m, good); this is a higher grade but he has each-way hopes.

11/2

Form: 11-214 D BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; walked over on chase debut in November; had started the season with an excellent second over hurdles in 3m Aintree handicap but, with tongue-tie going on, he was an odds-on flop over fences at Sandown on latest outing; has a lot to learn judged on that but cheekpieces are now added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

8th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 4

19:00 Uttoxeter

Milan Bridge

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Six wins divided between hurdles and fences; on a realistic mark but arrives here in a miserable run of form.

25/1

9

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:10 Worcester

Milan Bridge

11st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Six wins divided between hurdles and fences; on a realistic mark but has failed to complete his last three races.

25/1

Form: 34-132

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Has taken satisfactorily to fences with a win at Kempton and places at Exeter and Taunton, all over about 3m on good and they give him a place chance; underperformed in his two starts on soft under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

20th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

17:30 Newton Abbot

Minella Buster

12st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

disputed lead, swerved sharply right and badly hampered rival before 1st, led clearly 2nd, went clear before 4th, reduced lead 8th

14/1

8th

2

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Minella Buster

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Last season started well before he lost his way; however, he does seem best when fresh and was returning from 153 days off when going close at Stratford in October (2m6f, good); over this more suitable trip, after a break, he has to be of interest.

7/1

8th

2

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Minella Buster

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Last season started well before he lost his way; however, he does seem best when fresh and was returning from 153 days off when going close at Stratford in October (2m6f, good); over this more suitable trip, after a break, he has to be of interest.

7/1

Form: /P51-P CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; won here in 2020; lightly raced in recent seasons; showed his form only once last term, when scoring in first-time blinkers at Plumpton (3m1f, good; acts on heavy) in January, and returned from wind surgery when pulled up in them over C&D this month; very mixed messages.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:20 Taunton

Putdecashonthedash

11st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Keiran Burke

Defied a 17lb higher mark nearly two years ago but has shown precious little in the meantime.

16/1

6th

8

12th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Putdecashonthedash

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

Has dropped to a mark 12lb lower than when winning at Plumpton in January 2022 but this 10yo has struggled subsequently.

50/1

Form: /63-17 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won sole start here (March 2021); became more miss than hit for Nigel Hawke; absent 508 days before winning at Ffos Las (soft) in November at his first attempt for new yard and 3m6f may help to explain the lesser show at Exeter next time; big shout if this is one of his better days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 85y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Alminar

10st 8lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Returned from 508-day absence to make winning stable debut at Ffos Las (3m, soft) in November but his form has nosedived since, and it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task here.

33/1

9

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

15:30 Chepstow

Alminar

11st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Became more miss than hit for Nigel Hawke; absent 508 days before winning at Ffos Las (soft; 1lb higher today) in November at his first attempt for new yard but he's taken major backward steps in his two starts since.

16/1

Form: 43-422

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on both starts here (early 2021) and no ground worries; mostly out of form this year but he ran well when second at Fontwell (3m3f) last time when switched to first-time blinkers; in the mix judged on that but whether he can back it up remains to be seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

31st Jul 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

14:10 Newton Abbot

Premiumaccess

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

jumped left throughout, raced in third, mistake 6th, bumped rival 3 out, soon lost position

10/1

4th

3

17th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:35 Newton Abbot

Premiumaccess

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Runner-up off 7lb higher in Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft; first-time blinkers) in November but not firing on all cylinders since; weakened into well-held fourth here (3m2f, good) on latest outing in May; needs to turn a corner; versatile ground-wise.

5/1

4th

5

31st May 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

14:30 Newton Abbot

Premiumaccess

10st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Joe Tizzard

Has reached the frame several times since October, including when a fair fourth at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last time; well treated on his best chase form but he's now 1-16 in this sphere and that win was in December 2020; others look stronger.

6/1

Form: 1-F231

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Two falls in first three chase starts but won the other and has had two places and a win from his three races since; improved to score at Huntingdon (2m7f; raised 4lb since) three weeks ago and could have more in the tank but he has a more questionable record when the ground is softer than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

20:50 Stratford

Great DAnge

10st 10lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Has four wins over fences but yet to score in this sphere; has shown nothing in his three runs for current yard.

50/1

3

29th Sep 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:41 Newton Abbot

Great DAnge

11st 4lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won over fences here (3m2f, good) for Barry Brennan last summer and has posted a couple of good efforts in that sphere this season; reverts to hurdling off lower mark for new stable here; could have a say.

5/1

2

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Worcester

Great DAnge

11st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won over fences for Barry Brennan last summer and has posted a couple of good efforts in that sphere this season; reverts to hurdling off lower mark for new stable here; could have a say.

12/1

Non-runners

High Stakes, Great D'Ange

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £81.30
Straight Forecast £57.94
Tricast £481.94
Trifecta £850.80

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Sizable Sam

RP Ratings:

Planned Paradise

TOPSPEED:

Great D'Ange

The Guardian:

Minella Buster

SPOTLIGHT:

Golden Sovereign

POSTDATA:

Alminar

Daily Mail:

Step Back

The Times:

Planned Paradise

The Sun:

Planned Paradise

Daily Record:

Great D'Ange

Telegraph:

Sizable Sam

D Express:

Sizable Sam

Daily Mirror:

Sizable Sam

The Star:

Sizable Sam