December 05 / 12.15 Southwell

12.15

Good To Soft

Harry Cobden Race Previews At planetsportbet.com Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4858.52
  • 2m 4f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Harry Cobden Race Previews At planetsportbet.com Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: P/121- D

Last run: 225 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle over 2m3f (heavy) for this yard in 2021; won a point and two hunter chases for today's rider over 2m4f/3m earlier this year including in cheekpieces on final start; no headgear but interesting back in handicap company having rejoined Dan Skelton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

15th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

17:05 Fakenham

Firak

12st 6lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Hampered but not unlucky when second dropped back to 2m at Leicester latest (soft); work to do with Rebel Dawn Rising and Janika on last Easter's C&D clash, and Hexham win afterwards might not be infallible proof of his effectiveness at 3m under rules (tired and just held on in slowly run race).

4/1

2nd

2

8th Mar 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:50 Leicester

Firak

12st 6lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Won three times for Nick Pearce last spring, including when value for more than the winning margin at Hexham (3m, soft; 5-2; first-time cheekpieces); yet to fire since returning to Dan Skelton, pulling up in the Walrus at Haydock (2m6f, heavy) three weeks ago; questions to answer, especially at 2m.

9/2

2

17th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:55 Haydock

Firak

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Won two hunter chases last spring (2m4f/3m, soft) and returned from some time off with fair fourth of five in Leicester handicap (2m4f, heavy) in December; could show the benefit of that outing today; possible contender.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: /333-F BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Irish bumper winner who was placed on all four starts over hurdles; 20l clear when fell at the last in three-finisher novice handicap at Warwick on chase debut (3m, soft, first run after wind surgery); up 10lb; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 115y

Class 3

12:27 Doncaster

Hurlerontheditch

10st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

made all, 4 lengths ahead 5 out, pushed along 4 out, reduced lead 3 out, good jump last, ridden clear run-in

5/2

1st

4

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 115y

Class 3

12:27 Doncaster

Hurlerontheditch

10st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

made all, 4 lengths ahead 5 out, pushed along 4 out, reduced lead 3 out, good jump last, ridden clear run-in

5/2

1st

7

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

13:35 Lingfield

Hurlerontheditch

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

0-7 over fences but ran big race in defeat at Wetherby (2m5f, good to soft) last month, after a break, and remains well handicapped on some of last season's form; likely contender.

4/1

Form: 23-1P1 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Has won two of his three starts over fences, the latest by 8l over C&D last week (heavy, beat previous dual winner); 7lb penalty; should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Sageburg County

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Three-time chase winner; just missed out at Uttoxeter in March (2m4f) and it was a Class 2 in which he couldn't land any real blow the last time; can cope with this mark and should go well in this easier race.

4/1

3rd

1

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Sageburg County

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Three-time chase winner; just missed out at Uttoxeter in March (2m4f) and it was a Class 2 in which he couldn't land any real blow the last time; can cope with this mark and should go well in this easier race.

4/1

4th

9

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:34 Chepstow

Sageburg County

10st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Rebounded from poor performance and went down fighting when second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) last month; up in grade and 2lb higher but ran very well over C&D on both previous visits to Chepstow, more notably when winning by 3l on good ground a year ago.

6/1

Form: 5112-P D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won novice handicap chases at Chepstow (2m3f, good) and Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) last season; inauspicious reappearance run when pulled up at Wetherby last month (lost a shoe); could bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Eaton Collina

11st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

headed after 3rd, led, not fluent 4th, soon lost ground, in rear when weakened after 10th

8/1

11

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Eaton Collina

11st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

headed after 3rd, led, not fluent 4th, soon lost ground, in rear when weakened after 10th

8/1

5th

5

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

14:05 Haydock

Eaton Collina

11st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

Completed a Wetherby double (2m3f, soft) last February and he's back down to his last winning mark; hasn't hit the same heights this season but ran okay when third at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) last month and he now contests his first veterans' chase; could be involved.

7/2

Form: 7432-6 C BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Only win over hurdles was over C&D in November last year (good); placed three times after that, including on soft; pulled hard when a well-beaten sixth of seven on chase debut last month; has since had a wind op; no easy task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:15 Chepstow

Sporting Mike

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Won on his handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November 2022 but he's 0-10 since and has not made an impact back over hurdles (2m7f/3m) in last two runs; mark continues to fall but he needs to raise his game with cheekpieces added.

8/1

9th

9

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:15 Chepstow

Sporting Mike

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Won on his handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November 2022 but he's 0-10 since and has not made an impact back over hurdles (2m7f/3m) in last two runs; mark continues to fall but he needs to raise his game with cheekpieces added.

8/1

4th

8

22nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

17:20 Newbury

Sporting Mike

11st 9lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

After chasing aspirations were soon aborted he didn't run too badly back over hurdles in a Class 3 at Ascot (2m7f, good to soft); of some interest on the back of that if able to build on it.

6/1

Abandoned

Form: 2PP-95 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Has won six races at up to 2m6f over fences, including on soft, the latest in March 2022; has rather lost his way since (only one decent run last term); well handicapped but plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:00 Fontwell

Kap Auteuil

11st 13lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 10th

13/2

6th

2

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:00 Fontwell

Kap Auteuil

11st 13lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 10th

13/2

4th

3

16th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:47 Chepstow

Kap Auteuil

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Toby Lawes

Has looked regressive for a while and fitted with a visor for last two races; the last one was a bit more encouraging but he was still beaten 16l.

12/1

Form: 32-765 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Creditable second at Bangor on final start last season (2m4f, good) but yet to regain his form after a summer break; plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Warwick

Zestful Hope

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Five wins include two over fences, the latest at Huntingdon in October (2m4f, good) when 2lb higher; not so good in his five subsequent defeats and record when fresh is modest.

9/2

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Zestful Hope

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won this in 2025 (good to soft) and was also on target at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in October; back on a good mark now and should be fine on today's forecast soft ground but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon.

6/1

5th

2

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Zestful Hope

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Drew clear on run-in to score by 13l at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month, form that was franked by the runner-up over the weekend; not one to rely upon heavily, though.

5/1

Form: /P114-

Last run: 234 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; two wins from four starts over hurdles for this yard last season, the second a handicap off 2lb lower mark at Market Rasen (2m2f, soft) in March; no easy task on first run over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Fiston De Becon

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual hurdle winner who made it 2-5 over fences when completing a double at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month; that was a three-runner race but he forged clear to beat a well-backed rival from the Nicholls yard and is open to more progress; big player.

11/8

1st

1

6th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Fiston De Becon

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual hurdle winner who made it 2-5 over fences when completing a double at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month; that was a three-runner race but he forged clear to beat a well-backed rival from the Nicholls yard and is open to more progress; big player.

11/8

1st

3

14th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

13:47 Hereford

Fiston De Becon

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Justified favouritism in four-runner field at Southwell (2m, soft; off 4lb lower) last month, opening his chase account at the fourth attempt; may build on that win and warrants respect.

6/4

Abandoned

Form: 13-144 C

Last run: 139 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner with a visor for David Bridgwater earlier this year (2m5f, good to soft); tailed off at Uttoxeter on stable debut in July; no visor; others have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:40 Hereford

Pawpaw

10st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

Won off a career-low chase mark at Fontwell (3m2f, good; refitted cheekpieces) in November and slower ground wouldn't have been ideal the last twice; none too reliable these days at the best of times.

12/1

5th

5

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:48 Lingfield

Pawpaw

11st 1lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: D J Jeffreys

Very inconsistent this season and his win at Fontwell (good ground; 5lb higher today) on penultimate start was over 3m2f; his soft-ground form was two years ago and he pulled up on his only appearance on heavy.

12/1

Verdict

In an interesting race, SAGEBURG COUNTY is taken to win his third race of the season. Hurlerontheditch and Firak also have strong claims.[Colin Russell]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sageburg County

WEST COUNTRY:

Hurlerontheditch

RP RATINGS:

Eaton Collina

TOPSPEED:

Pawpaw

POSTDATA:

Sageburg County

The Times:

Sageburg County

The Guardian:

Sageburg County

Daily Mail:

Sageburg County

The Sun:

Sageburg County

The Star:

Sageburg County

Daily Record:

Sageburg County

Telegraph:

Hurlerontheditch

D Express:

Hurlerontheditch

Daily Mirror:

Hurlerontheditch