December 29 / 13.38 Kelso

13.38

Heavy

Children’s Immunology Trust Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7951.16
  • 2m 6f 70y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
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Children’s Immunology Trust Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 524-81

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Came good over fences at second attempt with clearcut success at Lingfield (2m4f, soft) five weeks ago; 5lb higher here but the form has recently been well advertised by the runner-up; due another 2lb rise soon and a major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Bill Baxter

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

10yo won this last year off 126 (yielding); mixed bag this term, undergoing wind surgery after third start and good comeback run when second in 3m Kelso handicap in February; mistakes when pulled up in Topham at Aintree but remains of interest.

12/1

22

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Bill Baxter

10st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Warren Greatrex

10yo who won this in 2023 (soft); he's had his ups and downs since but won at Punchestown (3m, yielding) last May and bumped into a well-handicapped novice when runner-up at Kelso (2m7f, heavy) last time, following wind surgery; could give a good account and be involved.

25/1

2nd

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Bill Baxter

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Uncharacteristically below par at Market Rasen four weeks ago; however, he's had a wind op since and two starts ago he ran pretty well when sixth in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f, soft); this is less competitive than that penultimate assignment and he won here in 2022 on his sole previous run here.

4/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 3-831

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 6yo who drew 14l clear to make a winning chase/handicap debut at Plumpton (2m3f, soft) nine days ago; contests a deeper race here but is 3lb well-in under his 7lb penalty and must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

12th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:53 Hereford

Old Painless

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Tim Vaughan

raced lazily at times, midfield, outpaced 4 out, no impression before 3 out

33/1

1

9th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

14:30 Lingfield

Old Painless

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Tim Vaughan

Struggling for form since joining this stable but he's become very well handicapped; hard to completely rule out but he needs to step up; stable also runs Twilight Glory.

25/1

1

9th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

14:30 Lingfield

Old Painless

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Tim Vaughan

Struggling for form since joining this stable but he's become very well handicapped; hard to completely rule out but he needs to step up; stable also runs Twilight Glory.

25/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 13-1U3

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Battled on well to win chase/handicap debut at Hexham (1m7f, soft) last month but didn't get far on next outing and was slightly disappointing when third of five here (2m4f, soft) last time; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

15:57 Musselburgh

Captain Quint

10st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Paul Robson

held up in rear, not fluent 11th, struggling 13th, lost touch when mistake 14th

12/1

5

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

15:57 Musselburgh

Captain Quint

10st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Paul Robson

held up in rear, not fluent 11th, struggling 13th, lost touch when mistake 14th

12/1

Form: 131-41 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner, including 2m6f novice hurdle on this card a year ago (soft ground); in process in running well before chance-ending jumping error on chasing debut here (2m7f, good to soft; race won by Brayhill) in November and stayed on well to win four-runner race over that trip here (soft) this month; nudged up only 1lb for that; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Ned Tanner

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Dual winner over 2m4f on soft ground in 2024-25 season but has been rather inconsistent and didn't offer enough when fifth of seven over C&D (good) three weeks ago to suggest he's likely to cash in on his reduced mark now.

9/1

5th

7

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Ned Tanner

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Dual winner over 2m4f on soft ground last season; has been rather inconsistent since wind surgery this term; has won over this trip, but perhaps better at shorter and has no easy task from 3lb out of the handicap.

12/1

3

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:41 Hexham

Ned Tanner

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

He's down to a dangerous mark and showed some spark at Haydock in December three starts ago; however, two disappointing performances have followed from this 10yo and he needs to get back on track.

6/1

Form: 12P-34 BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Fair novice hurdler last season (one win) and made a very encouraging start to chasing career when third of six at Ayr (2m4f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in October; below that form last time, though, and needs help from the refitted cheekpieces in this competitive race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

26th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:50 Perth

Readysteadybeau

10st 13lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Won from the front at Ayr (3m, soft; beat Marown by 6.5l) in December to make it 3-9 over fences; couldn't lead when disappointing three months ago; if getting to the front he's not without hope of staying there.

4/1

6

26th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:50 Perth

Readysteadybeau

10st 13lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

led, bad mistake and headed 4 out, soon lost ground quickly, pulled up after 3 out

4/1

5th

4

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

16:00 Musselburgh

Readysteadybeau

11st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Returned to form with front-running win at Ayr (3m, soft) in December and is now 3-9 over fences; should be fine on this right-handed track but latest 7lb rise demands more from him and he may not be allowed an uncontested lead this time.

4/1

Form: 7/44P- C

Last run: 251 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Began chasing career with two underwhelming runs in autumn 2021 and was pulled up in April after a break; returns from another 251-day layoff; others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

25th Jan 2023

Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 3

15:45 Catterick

Le Cheval Noir

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway before 5 out, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and weakening when not fluent 3 out

12/1

6th

6

29th Dec 2022

Heavy

2m 6f 70y

Class 3

13:38 Kelso

Le Cheval Noir

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

held up in behind leaders on inner

12/1

Form: 257/64

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Struggled on seasonal/chase debut in October and was soon left behind when the pace lifted at Ayr last month; now very well handicapped on some of his hurdling form but is difficult to enthuse over at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

No Regrets

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Veteran; has won on soft ground, but seems best on good ground; fair second over C&D in October (good) but has been beaten more than 30l on his two subsequent starts.

12/1

8th

9

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

No Regrets

10st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Bagged a silver medal on penultimate start but has lacked consistency otherwise this term; the 12yo faces a stiffer task in this competitive field on return from a break.

20/1

4

11th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:55 Hexham

No Regrets

11st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

C&D winner but his last success was 17 months ago and he struggled at Kelso (2m5f, good) last month; now goes back up in trip but he's not easy to predict and others are preferred; regular visor removed.

16/1

Form: 2314-2

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
2-14 over hurdles (both wins at around 2m); very respectable second of four behind the favourite on last month's seasonal/chase debut at Doncaster (2m3f, good); stamina heads into unknown territory here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:00 Carlisle

Universal Folly

11st 13lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

in touch with leaders, headway and prominent 13th, pressed winner before last, stayed on

33/1

6th

2

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Universal Folly

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

midfield, outpaced before 5 out, no impression after 4 out

20/1

6th

2

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Universal Folly

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

midfield, outpaced before 5 out, no impression after 4 out

20/1

Form: 12/4

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced mare who was second in a Grade 2 novice hurdle in 2020; made low-key chase/handicap debut when last of four finishers at Bangor last month but that run came after a two-year absence; no surprise if she poses a more potent threat today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

15:15 Wetherby

Wild Romance

11st 5lb

J: Mr Shay Halton

T: Mrs Jody Anne Lancaster

Placed in a Grade 2 over hurdles during a light career with Dan Skelton; that was a long time ago now but she's been running well in points and has less to prove than a few of these from a wellbeing perspective.

11/2

9

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

15:15 Wetherby

Wild Romance

11st 5lb

J: Mr Shay Halton

T: Mrs Jody Anne Lancaster

Placed in a Grade 2 over hurdles during a light career with Dan Skelton; that was a long time ago now but she's been running well in points and has less to prove than a few of these from a wellbeing perspective.

11/2

3

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

13:55 Chepstow

Wild Romance

11st 13lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

midfield

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2423-2

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
2-12 over hurdles; returned from one-year absence with very creditable second behind progressive rival at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) last month; contender if he jumps soundly on today's chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

24th Aug 2024

Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:25 Cartmel

Eyeofthescorpion

10st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Andrew Hamilton

always behind, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 3 out

50/1

5

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

17:05 Perth

Eyeofthescorpion

10st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in rear, detached after 1st, bad mistake and unseated 10th

20/1

3

28th Jan 2023

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 4

15:50 Doncaster

Eyeofthescorpion

11st 12lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

held up in last, mistake 2nd

8/1

Form: /O3-13 C BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Returned from 11-month break to make winning chase debut here (2m7f, good to soft) last month and was bowling along merrily in the lead until sprawling on landing and losing momentum at third-last fence here (soft) 19 days later; now sports cheekpieces; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

11th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:10 Ayr

Brayhill

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Ewart

raced in second, bad mistake 8th

11/2

5th

2

11th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:10 Ayr

Brayhill

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Ewart

raced in second, bad mistake 8th

11/2

4

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:05 Newcastle

Brayhill

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: James Ewart

raced in third, lost position briefly 6th, reminders and dropped to last before 8th, detached and struggling from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out

8/1

Form: 8126-3

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
1-4 over hurdles, the win gained over 2m on good ground in February; remote third in useful novice chase at Hexham (3m, soft; had wind op soon afterwards) six weeks ago but might have needed that outing and has a better chance at the weights in this handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 2

13:30 Aintree

Donnas Double

10st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Inconsistent during last season's first chasing campaign but he posted a win at Ayr (2m4f, heavy) in January and was a very close third there (2m4f, good to soft) on last month's reappearance; remains lightly raced and is not ruled out in a first-time tongue-tie.

10/1

Non-runners

Wild Romance, Donna's Double

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.40
Straight Forecast £12.54
Tricast £66.40
Trifecta £70.00

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Old Painless

SPOTLIGHT:

Ned Tanner

LAMBOURN:

Bill Baxter

POSTDATA:

Captain Quint

WEST COUNTRY:

Eyeofthescorpion

Telegraph:

Wild Romance

The Times:

Old Painless

The Guardian:

Old Painless

The Sun:

Old Painless

Daily Record:

Old Painless

RP Ratings:

Ned Tanner

Daily Mail:

Ned Tanner

D Express:

Ned Tanner

Daily Mirror:

Ned Tanner

The Star:

Bill Baxter