December 31 / 13.15 Newbury

13.15

Good To Soft

Coral First For Horse Racing Handicap Chase (For The Hallowe’En Trophy)

  • Prize money: £7406.56
  • 2m 0f 92y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
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Coral First For Horse Racing Handicap Chase (For The Hallowe’En Trophy)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 121- D

Last run: 327 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 6yo, successful in a Ffos Las bumper (soft) and a Fontwell novice hurdle (2m1f, good to soft; third and fifth won next time) last season; goes straight into a handicap chase for his reappearance and could have stacks of potential; fascinating contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

2nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 4

14:25 Ascot

Gamaret

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Very lightly raced 7yo who created pretty good impression when pushed-out winner on seasonal, chase and handicap debut at Newbury (2m, soft) in December; no match for impressive winner when second at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft) last month but could have significant untapped potential over today's longer trip and remains very much of interest.

2/1

2nd

4

7th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 3

14:25 Sandown

Gamaret

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

jumped well, raced in second, ridden 2 out, soon no chance with winner, kept on

8/11

7/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 324-2F CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Four chase wins include a clearcut one in this race (soft) 12 months ago; he's now 9lb higher but showed this mark may not be beyond him when a good second at Lingfield on reappearance, and he still had a chance when falling there ten days ago; should make his presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Gallic Geordie

10st 7lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

12yo who doesn't appear to be as good as he was and hasn't really threatened this season, but he's been a fair third on two of his last three starts and continues to edge down the weights; might not be far away.

16/1

3

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 4

14:50 Doncaster

Gallic Geordie

11st 6lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Now 12 but showed when third of six at Lingfield (2m4f, soft) in December that he retains plenty of spark; effective on good to soft ground earlier in career; mid-race unseat at Wetherby last time; possible player.

9/2

7

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

14:08 Wetherby

Gallic Geordie

11st 2lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Long in the tooth now but was not that far off his career-best form when third of six at Lingfield (2m4f, soft) in December, after a layoff; 2lb lower here and has a fighting chance if aided by combination of refitted tongue-tie and first-time cheekpieces.

7/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 3-543P CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Well treated on the pick of his form but he doesn't seem capable of showing it at present, pulled up at Ludlow before Christmas; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

21st Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

16:10 Ludlow

Not Available

11st 6lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

When a 23l third at Newbury (2m, soft) two starts ago he was behind two highly progressive rivals and he continues to drop down the weights, but positive performances have been scarce this season and he was tailed off at Sandown (1m7f, soft) last time.

10/1

9th

10

15th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 3

13:55 Sandown

Not Available

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Matt Sheppard

Has won six times over fences but seems to have developed his own ideas about the game and looks a difficult ride these days; below form this term on both British starts on heavy; latest outing was his best show this season but he needs to better that.

25/1

3rd

3

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

15:45 Newbury

Not Available

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Matt Sheppard

Has won six times over fences but seems to have developed his own ideas about the game and looks a difficult ride these days; in his current form others are way more appealing.

15/2

Form: 424-74 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Point and hurdles winner; didn't show much on his chasing debut but there was more encouragement to be gleaned from his 10l fourth of six at Wetherby (1m7f, heavy; 10-1; first-time tongue-strap) last month; if he can build again on that he should be on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

5th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

17:05 Wincanton

Mongol Emperor

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

Took a while to get his act together over fences but came good with comfortable win at Doncaster (2m3f, good) last month and is still quite well handicapped if judged on best hurdling form; likely contender.

5/1

1st

4

3rd Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

16:20 Doncaster

Mongol Emperor

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

travelled strongly, midfield, headway 4 out, pressed leader going easily 3 out, led 2 out, pushed along and went clear approaching last, kept on strongly run-in, comfortably

11/4

4th

3

2nd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:30 Wincanton

Mongol Emperor

11st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Neil Mulholland

Made more of an impact over hurdles but he's not been discredited in recent chase starts; hooded on last 11 starts but now has cheekpieces.

4/1

Form: 711-5U D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Took well to chasing in the summer of 2021, winning twice on fast ground, but he hasn't looked the same horse in two runs since, well held in fourth when his saddle slipped here last time (plenty to find with Only Money on that form); needs to turn over a new leaf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Courtland

12st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Seven-time chase winner (once here); returned from break with disappointing effort last month but current mark is workable if subsequent wind operation and/or first-time cheekpieces prompt a return to form.

6/1

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Courtland

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

He ran well in defeat in the main last year and is effective when fresh; could give a good account on this first start since December but there's been minimal movement in his mark this season and he may again prove vulnerable in this competitive contest.

12/1

10

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Courtland

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Seven-time winner over fences and recent placed efforts in some good 2m5f-2m7f handicaps were bordering on career-best form; highly likely to give his running once more but has an air of vulnerability about him for win purposes.

16/1

10

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Courtland

11st 1lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Seven-time winner over fences and recent placed efforts in some good 2m5f-2m7f handicaps were bordering on career-best form; highly likely to give his running once more but has an air of vulnerability about him for win purposes.

16/1

Form: 1112P5 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Fine strike-rate of 8-22 over fences but recent efforts have been subdued and he was beaten a long way out at Taunton earlier this month; beginning to fall in the weights but needs a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

14th Nov 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:40 Taunton

Kauto The King

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Ten chase wins since last seen over hurdles in 2020, the latest when digging deep at regular haunt Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in August; below-form fourth of five at Wincanton last time but still looks the main threat to Tuxedo Junction.

15/8

3rd

1

14th Nov 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:40 Taunton

Kauto The King

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Ten chase wins since last seen over hurdles in 2020, the latest when digging deep at regular haunt Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in August; below-form fourth of five at Wincanton last time but still looks the main threat to Tuxedo Junction.

15/8

4th

6

27th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 2

14:42 Wincanton

Kauto The King

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Joe Tizzard

held up in rear, not fluent 1st, in touch with leaders 7th

5/1

Form: 3119-6 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Ended 2021 with two hurdling wins but seen only twice since and well beaten each time; tailed off over this C&D on his chasing debut last month (33-1) and has questions to answer after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

19th Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 2

15:20 Perth

Earth Company

11st 5lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Patrick Neville

Patchy form over fences for Philip Hobbs last season; dual winner over hurdles in 2021, and quite interesting with hood and tongue-tie tried on first run for new trainer providing rain stays away (non-runner on soft in Too Friendly's race at Market Rasen last time).

10/1

8

8th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

13:45 Worcester

Earth Company

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Dual hurdle winner in 2021; seemed to be getting his act together over fences when second of four at Taunton (2m, soft) in January but was no match for the winner there and has since performed poorly.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1311-P D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Progressive 2m chaser, successful on three of his last four completed starts, including at Leicester (soft) and Chepstow (good) in the spring; probably best forgiven a poor reappearance run at Ffos Las (bad mistake eighth); may still have untapped potential and has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 3-1132 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Likeable type with a solid bank of form; bumped into an improver and beat the remainder handsomely over C&D (good; also handles soft) in November; again of interest off a 1lb lower mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

21st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:25 Stratford

Only Money

10st 3lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Should be well handicapped, likes good ground and returned to form with a pleasing second at Newton Abbot; often takes a good hold so the assured strong pace here will aid his chance.

6/1

2nd

7

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 3

18:10 Newton Abbot

Only Money

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Did not hit top gear during light campaign last season and was well beaten (albeit on soft ground) last month, after a break; on good mark now and might be seen to better effect if the ground stays good here but others have much less to prove.

16/1

4th

4

22nd May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

18:10 Southwell

Only Money

11st 9lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Four chase wins (from 14 attempts); has seemingly found himself stranded too high in the weights since scoring at Worcester (2m, good) in October 2022; back to his last winning mark after unseating rider early on at Plumpton last September; fitness is taken on trust.

13/2

Form: /714-5 D

Last run: 218 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Smart in his prime; not nearly so good nowadays but he still made all in a hunter chase at Leicester (2m, good to soft) in March; folded tamely in two subsequent runs in the spring but he's since moved stables and can't be discounted after seven months off from a career-low mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

2nd Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

17:35 Stratford

Capitaine

12st 2lb

J: Mr Peter Bryan

T: Georgina Nicholls

didn't always jump with fluency, led, headed but prominent before 5th

7/1

8

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

13:15 Newbury

Capitaine

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Barry Brennan

Smart in his prime; not nearly so good nowadays but he still made all in a hunter chase at Leicester (2m, good to soft) in March; folded tamely in two subsequent runs in the spring but he's since moved stables and can't be discounted after seven months off from a career-low mark.

33/1

Form: B3-664 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
In good heart towards the end of 2021, winning at Exeter (2m1f, good; handles soft); in and out since but his mark has fallen and he might have needed both his outings this autumn (fourth of seven at Sandown on latest); each-way claims for an in-form stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

12th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

15:10 Fontwell

Casa Tall

11st 2lb

J: Thomas Garner

T: Ben Pauling

All three chase wins came in 2021; well treated on all that and, although last to finish on his stable debut at Carlisle (2m, soft) after three months off, he wasn't beaten far and might come on for the run; has done his winning over shorter but probably stays this far.

8/1

Non-runners

Kauto The King

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.50
Straight Forecast £11.95
Tricast £124.68
Trifecta £153.40

Selections

RP Ratings:

Gallic Geordie

SPOTLIGHT:

Gamaret

Telegraph:

Only Money

WEST COUNTRY:

Casa Tall

TOPSPEED:

Kauto The King

The Times:

Gamaret

D Express:

Gamaret

Daily Mirror:

Gamaret

Daily Record:

Gamaret

POSTDATA:

Gallic Geordie

The Guardian:

Gallic Geordie

Daily Mail:

Gallic Geordie

The Sun:

Gallic Geordie

The Star:

Gallic Geordie