December 27 / 14.45 Wetherby

14.45

Good To Soft

William Hill Castleford Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13615
  • 1m 7f 36y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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William Hill Castleford Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.40
  • Place: £2.40

Form: U2-42P CD

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Pulled up at Cheltenham last month but trainer reported he had a dirty scope post-race; prior to that he reappeared with a fair second of four at Kelso and he's well handicapped on form as recent as April (went very close at Ayr off 3lb higher); this C&D winner could go well if bouncing back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Malystic

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Peter Niven

An 11yo now who isn't as good as he was and has predictably lost some of his old speed; hasn't been running badly in handicaps at about this trip but looks vulnerable.

8/1

2

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:13 Stratford

Malystic

11st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Peter Niven

On a good mark but an 11yo now and has lost some of his old zip; ran okay at Uttoxeter last time but got outpaced when it mattered and was never threatening; what will help here is the likelihood of a good pace and some rain; respected.

10/1

4th

3

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Malystic

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Peter Niven

An 11yo now and, in first-time cheekpieces, finished well behind at Ayr in a race he had done well in previously; this wouldn't be so demanding and his penultimate effort was quite encouraging; by no means ruled out.

14/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2243-3 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Admirably consistent sort who runs off a mark 3lb lower than when second in this race last year (soft), and he reappeared with an encouraging third over hurdles last month; solid candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 3

12:14 Wetherby

Cheddleton

12st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

prominent, disputed lead 7th, led 10th

14/1

1

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 3

12:14 Wetherby

Cheddleton

12st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

prominent, disputed lead 7th, led 10th

14/1

7th

5

13th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Cheddleton

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Returned to form and won four-runner chase in first-time cheekpieces in February but was pulled up on consecutive outings in the spring (hurdle/chase) and has done all his winning on soft/heavy ground; others preferred.

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 4P122- CD BF

Last run: 304 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Trainer has won three of the last six runnings, including with this fellow last year; he's 11lb higher this time around and lacks a recent run, but he ended last season with two good seconds (2m, heavy) and could have more to offer for his top stable; respected on first run since wind op.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

13:40 Hexham

Eclair DAinay

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Very useful triple chase winner (peak RPR of 151) who had no trouble taking advantage of a golden opportunity in a novice hurdle at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) last month; wasn't at his best over fences last time but he's still lightly raced over hurdles and is a major payer back in this sphere.

13/8

3rd

2

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:10 Chepstow

Eclair DAinay

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

led, not fluent 3rd, mistake 8th, soon pushed along and headed, lost ground before 3 out, mistake when weakening 2 out

9/4

1st

2

29th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

13:25 Market Rasen

Eclair DAinay

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Good chaser at best and ran well on seasonal return in December; poor effort latest and now makes first start over hurdles since October 2020; cheekpieces added and, all being well, should have no trouble winning this; makes the running.

1/6

Form: 5123-4 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle in 2019 and, although he hasn't been the same force in the last few seasons, he won a C&D chase off today's mark this January; however, this is more competitive than that five-runner Class 3 and he may find a few too good (well-beaten fifth in this last year).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

16:40 Hexham

Cornerstone Lad

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Regressive 11yo; returned from layoff with two disappointing runs in February and absent for another 101 days since but will be favoured by the forecast rain here and is too well handicapped to rule out.

12/1

6th

5

26th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:18 Wetherby

Cornerstone Lad

11st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

always behind

16/1

10th

9

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

14:08 Wetherby

Cornerstone Lad

10st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

High-class hurdler in his prime but it's now over three years since his latest win; ended last season with some very respectable efforts and resumes on a tempting mark but younger rivals appeal more all the same; swaps blinkers for refitted cheekpieces.

14/1

Form: 3313-7 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Made mistakes when below par on last chase start in March and he was down the field over hurdles this month on his reappearance; however, he may have needed that latest run and this second-season chaser is 2-2 over fences when partnered by Bryony Frost; capable of a big run for leading trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:10 Chepstow

Friend Or Foe

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, pushed along and lost ground after 7th, ridden and keeping on when fell heavily 9th

4/1

3rd

1

25th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:45 Chepstow

Friend Or Foe

12st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Left behind by front pair when well-held third at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago and will need a better performance here but ran well for a long way when fifth in good race at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in December and has slipped to a good mark.

5/1

3rd

1

5th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

13:55 Musselburgh

Friend Or Foe

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Record of 2-6 over fences, the latest success off 2lb higher (albeit in weak race) last March; not disgraced in the Castleford Chase at Wetherby last time; this Ditcheat raider is worthy of respect back down in grade, with trainer having won this race in 2017, 2018 and 2020.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 11P-41 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Won two handicap hurdles here last winter (2m/2m3f, good to soft/good) and made it 3-3 at Wetherby with a comfortable win over C&D (heavy) last month on his second chase start; he's 7lb higher in this tougher race but impressed last time and his record here is a major positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:30 Wetherby

No Risk Des Flos

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear, not fluent 5 out, brief headway 4 out, soon no impression

11/4

5th

5

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:30 Wetherby

No Risk Des Flos

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear, not fluent 5 out, brief headway 4 out, soon no impression

11/4

4

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 3

12:22 Southwell

No Risk Des Flos

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-6 during his last campaign but he dropped down the weights and returned with encouraging second to a handicap blot at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft); could build on that latest run and he's one to consider.

7/2

Form: 1164-2 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row early this year (2m, good/soft) and ran well on this month's reappearance at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft), when 7l second to an unexposed winner; he needs a career best to win today but improvement is possible from this 7yo and he might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:15 Wetherby

Heartbreak Kid

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

prominent, went second and pressed leader 6th, outpaced and lost second after 5 out, weakened 4 out

9/2

5th

1

5th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

13:55 Musselburgh

Heartbreak Kid

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent on inner

11/2

Form: 0F-063 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Runner-up to Energumene in Grade 2 chase at Cork last December but his form went the wrong way for Noel Meade and he's been tailed off on his first two starts for this yard; major turnaround required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Daly Tiger

11st 9lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 3 out

25/1

7th

4

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Daly Tiger

11st 9lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 3 out

25/1

3rd

10

30th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Daly Tiger

10st 10lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

His mark continues to fall and he hinted at a revival when 20l second here (2m, soft) last November; however, pulled up at Aintree (2m4f, heavy) since and he's back to having plenty to prove; visor replaces cheekpieces.

25/1

Form: 1/3325

Last run: 136 days

W: 10st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Went over fences this summer for his new yard and ran some good races in defeat at Perth; however, those were in Class 3 handicaps and this 11yo faces a tough task now up in grade after a break; others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

12

22nd Jul 2023

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

15:15 Market Rasen

And The New

10st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Back in very good form since fitted with cheekpieces this spring, most recently when ready winner of C&D trial for this race last month; went up another 10lb for that but remains well handicapped on some of last summer's form; can't be ruled out.

10/1

1st

10

23rd Jun 2023

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

15:55 Market Rasen

And The New

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Dropped a long way down the weights before making all for wide-margin course win (2m3f, good) in first-time cheekpieces last month and ran well under a penalty at Cartmel a week later (effectively on same mark today), despite jumping right throughout; sure to be suited by the return to this right-handed track and evidently back in good nick now.

4/1

3rd

4

29th May 2023

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

And The New

10st 8lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Plummeted down the weights last season but was seemingly revitalised by first-time cheekpieces when making all to win by 18l at Market Rasen (2m3f, good) a week ago; faces stronger opposition and has 7lb penalty to shoulder here but remains very well handicapped on form as recent as last summer.

7/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.70
Straight Forecast £19.13
Tricast £93.34
Trifecta £139.70

Selections

RP Ratings:

Cheddleton

SPOTLIGHT:

No Risk Des Flos

Daily Mirror:

Eclair D'Ainay

TOPSPEED:

Cornerstone Lad

WEST COUNTRY:

Friend Or Foe

Telegraph:

No Risk Des Flos

The Star:

No Risk Des Flos

The Times:

Cheddleton

The Guardian:

Cheddleton

Daily Mail:

Cheddleton

D Express:

Cheddleton

The Sun:

Cheddleton

Daily Record:

Eclair D'Ainay

POSTDATA:

Cornerstone Lad