December 26 / 14.03 Wincanton

14.03

Good To Soft

Newt Mid Season Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6753.04
  • 2m 4f 35y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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Newt Mid Season Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £16.40
  • Place: £4.00

Form: F60613 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Didn't have much going for him on hurdle form in the autumn but he sprang a surprise on chase debut over C&D (good to soft) and a subsequent defeat only five days later probably came too soon; far from ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:30 Newton Abbot

Harlem Soul

11st 6lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Syd Hosie

Dual 2m4f chase winner at Wincanton; had dropped to a career-low mark when returning to form with a near miss at Warwick (2m4f, good) and fair chance if following one good run with another.

10/1

2nd

4

30th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Warwick

Harlem Soul

11st 9lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Syd Hosie

Dual 2m4f chase winner (both good to soft) at Wincanton, where six of his best seven efforts have come; handy mark but little encouragement in his recent form.

8/1

4th

1

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Harlem Soul

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Syd Hosie

Won twice over 2m4f in 2022-23 season but was out of form last term and is yet to convince stamina-wise over this sort of trip; drops in grade today but still needs to up his game.

14/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 111132 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Has progressed well since chasing, winning first four at up to 2m5f (good/quicker ground); little between him and Midnight Midge on 2m2f Taunton form this month but this is a rare run away from good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

24th Sep 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

13:20 Fontwell

Huelgoat

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

A five-time chase winner, he has adapted well since returning to hurdles in cheekpieces, making all at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in June and Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) last month (fell when holding a clear advantage in between); has a big penalty but will be difficult to keep tabs on.

9/4

1st

1

27th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

15:55 Stratford

Huelgoat

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

made all, kept on well, unchallenged

6/4

1

25th Jun 2024

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

15:00 Newton Abbot

Huelgoat

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Five-time chase winner who faced a simple task when opening his account in this discipline over C&D (good; first-time cheekpieces) this month; has more on his plate under a penalty in this deeper race but he's respected nonetheless.

5/4

12/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 413-63

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Wide-margin winner at Fakenham in January (2m5f, soft) before running well over a trip that looked to stretch him at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft); should be nearing his peak after two recent runs and has hopes of better this winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 5

13:50 Fakenham

Animal

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Suzy Smith

Tailed off two runs back but the season had started okay given the company he was in and it was a solid enough run to be beaten 6l last time at Fontwell (3m2f, soft); same career-low mark here and firmly in the reckoning.

5/2

17

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Animal

10st 12lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Suzy Smith

Makes seasonal debut from a tempting mark and won't fail through lack of stamina but looked out of sorts on both outings at the start of this year and has done all his winning on soft ground; needs combination of wind surgery and first-time tongue-tie to prompt a revival.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 14-PF3 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
All three chase wins on this course, including on soft, but at about 3m2f, and he looked ready for a return to more of a test over 2m3f at Exeter recently; in good form but others might be a bit sharper round here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:17 Wincanton

Edeiffs Elton

11st 12lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Robert Walford

Reappeared with encouraging fourth over 2m4f here in November and this would be more his trip (all three career wins at this track at 3m1f/3m2f); has won on soft but has twice disappointed on heavy.

5/1

0

7

12th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Edeiffs Elton

11st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Reappeared with encouraging fourth over 2m4f here last month and he can build on that now back up in trip and back in his usual cheekpieces, with his three career wins having come here over 3m1f/3m2f; respected.

11/2

Form: /135-3 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
AW winner who won a 2m3f maiden hurdle at Fontwell early in 2022 (good to soft); fair effort on chase debut at Kempton in November (2m4f, good to soft) when not far behind a subsequent winner; should improve for the run and experience but testing ground might not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Dreaming Blue

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

in touch with leaders, prominent 7th

15/2

15

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Dreaming Blue

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

in touch with leaders, prominent 7th

15/2

5th

5

8th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Dreaming Blue

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Three wins last year (2m2f-3m1f, heavy-good) and returned to his best with good second over C&D (heavy) last month in reapplied blinkers (retained); 2lb higher than last time and has solid claims.

5/2

Form: 257-11 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Favourably treated for this yard and followed up a fortunate Taunton win (2m2f, good) with another there 18 days ago when better suited by that trip than the runner-up Huelgoat; should still have some scope back up 5lb but pulled up in his last three runs on soft (seemed to handle it over hurdles) so there are question marks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th May 2024

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:43 Newton Abbot

Midnight Midge

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

prominent, not fluent 7th, lost ground after 2nd

8/1

1

20th May 2024

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:43 Newton Abbot

Midnight Midge

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

prominent, not fluent 7th, lost ground after 2nd

8/1

5th

2

11th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

15:18 Taunton

Midnight Midge

12st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Three-time chase winner on good ground, twice over 2m2f here; on a tempting mark now but has lost his way a bit this season and conditions are likely to remain softer than he prefers today.

14/1

Form: 131P-4 D BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Good start to chase career when winning two of his first three starts (about 2m5f; both on good to soft) but he ran flat next time, even allowing for the step up in class; made creditable return at Doncaster recently and should be capable of better; slight query about how soft he wants it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

12th Apr 2023

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

The Mighty Arc

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Charlie Longsdon

prominent, not fluent 12th, not fluent 13th, soon shaken up and lost ground

12/1

1

15th Feb 2023

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:20 Wetherby

The Mighty Arc

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Charlie Longsdon

Scored twice as a novice chaser last term (2m4f/2m5f) and fared better than the bare result on reappearance (2m3f); pulled up last time but may still have more to offer; first crack at 3m under rules.

10/1

2

9th Feb 2023

Good

2m 4f 115y

Class 4

16:00 Doncaster

The Mighty Arc

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Charlie Longsdon

Scored twice as a novice chaser last term and fared better than the bare result here (2m3f, good) on reappearance; pulled up at Wetherby since but may still have more to offer; not dismissed.

13/2

Form: 83/1-4 C BF

Last run: 71 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Bumper/hurdle winner who showed clear potential for chase career when winning at Ludlow in October 2021 (2m4f, good) and quite likely needed the run when fourth in a higher grade at Kempton on return from 12 months off; most racing on good or quicker but has won on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Jul 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:25 Newton Abbot

Runswick Bay

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Runner-up at Fontwell in April but not so good since, especially when beaten 40l at Market Rasen last month, after wind surgery; needs better.

12/1

6th

11

9th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 2

14:50 Market Rasen

Runswick Bay

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Second to Mullinaree at Fontwell in April (closely matched on these terms), on his return to hurdling, but well held next time; wind surgery since; others appear to have more compelling claims.

16/1

9th

7

1st May 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Kempton

Runswick Bay

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

disputed lead, not fluent 1st, prominent after 2nd

16/1

Form: 138-FP D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Heavy-ground hurdle winner at Lingfield in January (2m3f) but has failed to complete in two chases and was beaten a long way out before pulling up at Exeter in November; reservations for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Triple Trade

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Still on a good mark despite winning twice this season (2m/2m4f; soft/good) and was 11-2 for the veterans' final over C&D earlier this month, only to depart early; has a lot in his favour so merits each-way consideration.

16/1

12

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Triple Trade

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Two wins this season (2m/2m4f, soft/good) and 10l third behind an 8yo and a 7yo at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January; 20l fourth in another competitive handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in February but that form is working out well and he's back against fellow veterans today; chance.

11/1

4th

9

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Triple Trade

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has a solid record (1313) over 2m/2m4f this season but gained the wins in Class 3 and finished 10l behind a couple of younger rivals, albeit not disgraced, in Class 1 at Cheltenham most recently; the 10yo looks under some pressure kept to this level.

12/1

Form: 4214-P C

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Course winner over hurdles; his chase win came on heavy at Exeter in March (2m3f) but although he's capable of running well after a break he didn't run much of a race on Bangor return; now has cheekpieces fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 313-2P

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Consistent and mildly progressive hurdler at 2m-2m3f until having a rare off day at Cheltenham in November; hard to know what to expect now chasing; seemed to handle soft ground in the spring but best form on good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Alto Alto

11st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Chris Gordon

All of his five wins have been gained at Plumpton but he's been well held at that track (2m1f/2m4f) in last three runs; now 9lb lower than for his last success but that that was 14 months ago and others are preferred.

8/1

3rd

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

14:17 Plumpton

Alto Alto

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Chris Gordon

All his five victories have been gained here but he arrives under a cloud, last of five in 2m1f handicap chase here last month; yard is back among the winners though so not totally dismissed.

11/2

5th

3

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 219y

Class 4

14:45 Plumpton

Alto Alto

11st 13lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

All five wins on this track, over hurdles and fences (good and soft); ran his best race for a while over C&D last month, but soundly beaten when last of four finishers (odds-on) here since; reservations now.

11/4

Form: 23-5P8

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Off the mark over hurdles at Exeter in February (2m2f, good to soft) but he comes here under a cloud, having been pulled up on his chase debut before completing in his own time at Exeter; cheekpieces left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:03 Wincanton

Earth Business

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Off the mark over hurdles at Exeter in February (2m2f, good to soft) but he comes here under a cloud, having been pulled up on his chase debut before completing in his own time at Exeter; cheekpieces left off.

20/1

8th

1

14th Nov 2022

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

14:30 Exeter

Earth Business

12st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Joe Tizzard

always towards rear, never going well, tailed off

14/1

4

25th Oct 2022

Good

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

14:00 Chepstow

Earth Business

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

virtually refused to race, lost many lengths start, pulled up before 1st

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £148.90
Straight Forecast £97.33
Tricast £486.83
Trifecta £1092.60

Selections

RP Ratings:

Ede'iffs Elton

The Times:

Huelgoat

The Guardian:

Dreaming Blue

Telegraph:

Midnight Midge

D Express:

Alto Alto

SPOTLIGHT:

Runswick Bay

LAMBOURN:

The Mighty Arc

The Sun:

Huelgoat

Daily Mirror:

Dreaming Blue

TOPSPEED:

Ede'iffs Elton

POSTDATA:

Ede'iffs Elton

WEST COUNTRY:

Ede'iffs Elton

Daily Mail:

Ede'iffs Elton

The Star:

Ede'iffs Elton

Daily Record:

Midnight Midge