December 31 / 15.35 Newbury

15.35

Good To Soft

Coral Get Closer To The Action Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7406.56
  • 2m 6f 93y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Coral Get Closer To The Action Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 32-111

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Transformed by the switch to chasing, winning on all three attempts; they were on good ground under Lilly Pinchin, in good style over about 3m on first two occasions and having to work harder to assert over 3m2f at Uttoxeter on latest; raised another 6lb, which demands better still but it's the probably much more testing ground which poses the big question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Tea For Free

11st 12lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Strong stayer who was 4-4 over fences before falling in a valauble handicap chase at Doncaster 14 months ago when running well; on a potentially good mark for this return to hurdling but fully entitled to need this after his period on the sidelines and returning to fences is presumably on the agenda.

25/1

7

28th Jan 2023

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Tea For Free

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Made it 4-4 over fences (2m6f-3m2f, good/soft) and under Lilly Pinchin when scoring at Newbury on New Year's Eve; 7lb higher today in a tougher race but he won in convincing fashion last time and could still be ahead of the handicapper; firmly in calculations.

9/2

1st

6

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 3

15:35 Newbury

Tea For Free

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Transformed by the switch to chasing, winning on all three attempts; they were on good ground under Lilly Pinchin, in good style over about 3m on first two occasions and having to work harder to assert over 3m2f at Uttoxeter on latest; raised another 6lb, which demands better still but it's the probably much more testing ground which poses the big question.

6/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: FF7-14 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 5yo who opened British account (fifth attempt) in a conditional jockeys' event at Sandown (2m4f, heavy); fair fourth there over 2m7f four weeks ago off today's mark and needs to prove he's worth it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

25th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Kempton

Halo Des Obeaux

12st 0lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

His second fall from three attempts over fences came on latest start, so he's back over hurdles; had found some improvement on heavy/soft earlier this term and could easily have more to offer for the champion trainer, but good ground would give him much more to prove.

10/1

4

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:28 Musselburgh

Halo Des Obeaux

11st 4lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

in touch with leaders on outer, mistake and fell heavily 3rd

7/2

2nd

3

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 3

15:35 Newbury

Halo Des Obeaux

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Ex-French 5yo who opened British account (fifth attempt) in a conditional jockeys' event at Sandown (2m4f, heavy); fair fourth there over 2m7f four weeks ago off today's mark and needs to prove he's worth it.

8/1

Form: /212/1 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won well on soft as a hurdler; absent 686 days (had wind surgery in September) and tongue tied when he won a five-runner novice handicap at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) five weeks ago on chase debut in gritty style, always up with the pace; raised 5lb but very lightly raced and more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 1

17:30 Cheltenham

Malinello

11st 7lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Ben Pauling

Lightly raced 8yo, tongue tied this term; lengthy absence and wind surgery before winning at Newcastle (2m7f) on handicap/chase debut; creditable third at Newbury (2m6f, soft) next time, before soundly beaten over 2m4f here; has stamina in the family but his form is badly lacking in this context.

100/1

6th

7

28th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:10 Cheltenham

Malinello

11st 3lb

J: Luca Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Lightly raced 8yo; has returned from a lengthy absence in good form, winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft; handicap/chase debut) then creditable third at Newbury (2m6f, soft); hurdles win (in 2020) came over 2m4f; should still have further improvement in him; shortlisted.

8/1

3rd

5

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 3

15:35 Newbury

Malinello

11st 3lb

J: Luca Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Won well on soft as a hurdler; absent 686 days (had wind surgery in September) and tongue tied when he won a five-runner novice handicap at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) five weeks ago on chase debut in gritty style, always up with the pace; raised 5lb but very lightly raced and more to offer.

8/1

Form: 11P7-3

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won late last year on first two hurdle starts and he was a creditable seventh in the EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in March on handicap debut; creditable never-nearer third of eight on chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m6f, soft) six weeks ago and he's open to improvement, which is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:28 Kempton

Surrey Quest

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

High-class staying chase form includes a close second in the 2024 Scottish National but he fell in that race last year and hasn't shown a glimmer of his old ability over hurdles or fences since; lots to prove.

20/1

3

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Surrey Quest

11st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Very useful marathon chaser on his day but looked out of sorts in three hurdle races towards end of last year; given another wind operation (his third) since; well handicapped but reverts to chasing with lots to prove.

25/1

14th

9

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Surrey Quest

10st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Very useful marathon chaser on his day; didn't run anything like as badly as 61l defeat might suggest when making seasonal debut in recent 2m7f hurdle race at Uttoxeter but needs that outing to have brought him on.

33/1

Form: 412-51

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft and looks sure to stay; three hurdle wins as novice last term; favourite for eight-runner novice handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month when switched to chasing and he won from the front, wandering but pulling out more when challenged late on; the pair were clear but he needs to improve again after 7lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Unanswered Prayers

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Chris Gordon

Well suited by a stamina test on good ground and lurks on a dangerous mark but has not been firing on all cylinders since running well on last season's reappearance outing in October; safely held when fourth in recent Sussex National; needs to up his game.

12/1

4th

9

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Unanswered Prayers

10st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Won the Southern National (3m3f, good) in November 2024 and he's on a dangerous mark on form as recent as October 2025; however, this 10yo hasn't threatened since and needs to raise his game.

14/1

3rd

4

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

Unanswered Prayers

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Landed the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) last term; form this season features two respectable efforts at Cheltenham, including in 3m5f cross-country race; possibilities off an attractive mark.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 13P-P1

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Won first four career starts (acts on soft); pulled up (lame) on final outing last season and made a bad mistake when pulled up on chasing debut in October on final start for Laura Morgan; made 5-4 favourite to put that behind him at Leicester (2m4f, good to firm) early this month for new yard and he did so in fine style, making all for 10l win; raised 9lb but could easily have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Bold Endeavour

10st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Back with Nicky Henderson last season and showed he retained a chunk of ability on first two starts, latterly when seventh of 24 in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good); made the running at Aintree (22-1) four weeks ago but ended pulled up; remains well handicapped on old form but there's been no win since January 2023.

20/1

18

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Bold Endeavour

10st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Back with Nicky Henderson after last season with Laura Morgan; had marks in the 140s at his peak and has shown he still retains a good chunk of that ability in his two outings after a year off, latterly finishing seventh of 24 to Supremely West in the Pertemps at Cheltenham (3m, good).

16/1

7th

21

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Bold Endeavour

10st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Back with Nicky Henderson after last season with Laura Morgan; third of six to Ace Of Spades at Huntingdon in January came after a year off and was a partial revival; potentially thrown in if he builds on that, as he was fourth in the 2024 Pertemps Final off 13lb higher; stable going well.

10/1

Form: 133-11

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Probably acts on heavy; lightly raced 7yo who has taken his form to new heights with small-field handicap wins at Chepstow and Doncaster (again 2m3f on good) in his two starts over fences; this is a more competitive race and he's been raised another 8lb but there's been a lot to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Nothin To Ask

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

disputed lead, prominent before 2nd, weakened on turn after 13th, soon pulled up

5/1

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Nothin To Ask

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

disputed lead, prominent before 2nd, weakened on turn after 13th, soon pulled up

5/1

2nd

1

14th Dec 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

13:22 Newcastle

Nothin To Ask

11st 10lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

raced in third, slightly hampered but left in second 8th, went clear with winner 12th, not fluent 5 out, no chance with winner when jumped slightly left 2 out, awkward jump last, kept on

11/4

Form: 542-12 BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won his handicap/chase debut at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in November on reappearance; good second of five at Ayr (2m4f, soft) on latest outing and this longer trip looks well worth a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

14th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:28 Kempton

Doctor Ken

12st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

The most recent of two chase wins came at 2m7f (good to soft; has won on good) in March 2023; his career punctuated by layoffs since but he's run respectably in better races than this since the latest of them and should make a bold bid; cheekpieces on.

13/8

Form: 2423-2

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
2-12 over hurdles; back from one-year absence for creditable second of five at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) last month; relatively exposed as hurdler and this is a very warm race for chase 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: 0/61-3

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
4-17 over hurdles; about 20l third on chase debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) last month and even his peak form does not look enough given he's 4lb out of the handicap; best British efforts have been on good or firmer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 3

16:00 Stratford

Rakhine State

10st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

Hurdle (including C&D) and chase winner; returns from 266-day layoff and younger rivals look more interesting.

16/1

0

4

22nd Oct 2023

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Kempton

Rakhine State

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

Comfortably won three-runner chase at Perth in July, his sixth start over fences, and was very respectable third when back over hurdles there (also 2m, soft) last month, but some of his younger rivals look more interesting here.

7/1

Non-runners

Bold Endeavour, Doctor Ken, Rakhine State

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £47.50
Straight Forecast £45.07
Tricast £163.94
Trifecta £220.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Doctor Ken

RP Ratings:

Bold Endeavour

WEST COUNTRY:

Malinello

POSTDATA:

Surrey Quest

Daily Mail:

Unanswered Prayers

Telegraph:

Tea For Free

The Star:

Nothin To Ask

The Times:

Surrey Quest

TOPSPEED:

Doctor Ken

D Express:

Doctor Ken

LAMBOURN:

Bold Endeavour

The Sun:

Bold Endeavour

Daily Record:

Unanswered Prayers

The Guardian:

Malinello

Daily Mirror:

Malinello