December 06 / 14.20 Haydock

14.20

Heavy

TrustATrader Apply Today Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 5f 127y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
RTV
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TrustATrader  Apply Today Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 2133-1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Won Irish point in 2020; only his second run since when taking a maiden hurdle at Exeter (2m5f) by 8l and he was placed in a Grade 2 novice here (3m) later in February; resumed progress on chase/handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f) five weeks ago, pouncing at the final fence as the first two drew clear; best efforts on good to soft but he was runner-up on heavy on rules debut; up 7lb but brings plenty of promise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

16:00 Chepstow

The King Of Ryhope

10st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

C&D winner at a different meeting last October on his reappearance and later ran well in a 3m Grade 2 at Ascot until a costly late mistake; disappointed the final time in a strong handicap at Aintree but went off favourite that day off a 1lb higher mark and evidently failed to give his running; remains an interesting handicapper.

4/1

8th

9

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

The King Of Ryhope

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 3m point winner whose best hurdle run came over 3m, and he tackled that trip for the first time over fences in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, travelling well into contention but making a race-losing mistake at final fence (finished 3l fourth of five); there will be a slight doubt about him if he's back on soft/heavy but he's unexposed over staying trips and could be better than his current mark.

5/1

8th

9

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

The King Of Ryhope

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 3m point winner whose best hurdle run came over 3m, and he tackled that trip for the first time over fences in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, travelling well into contention but making a race-losing mistake at final fence (finished 3l fourth of five); there will be a slight doubt about him if he's back on soft/heavy but he's unexposed over staying trips and could be better than his current mark.

5/1

Form: /333-F BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Irish bumper winner who was placed for this yard in all four runs over hurdles; had his second wind surgery before chase debut at Warwick (3m, soft) four weeks ago and thoroughly dominated that eight-runner handicap before crumpling on landing at the final fence, about 20l in front at the time; given a 10lb rise for his trouble.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 1133-3 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; won handicap hurdles (2m4f/2m3f) on the first two of his four runs last season; back near his best when third of 13 at Wetherby last month on chase debut, which he should build on; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Happy And Fine

12st 1lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Warwick (3m, good to soft) in December but he's failed to complete in three subsequent runs and didn't get very far at Stratford (unseated at first) two weeks ago; only 2lb lower than for his last success but he comes with risks attached.

12/1

3

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Happy And Fine

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Warwick (3m) in December but he isn't the easiest to catch right and was pulled up in 2m7f handicap at Newbury last time; others are preferred.

10/1

4

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Happy And Fine

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Back to form when winning for a third time over fences in a 3m handicap at Warwick (good to soft) and would have won easier had he not idled late on; unseated midrace off this 4lb higher mark at Leicester three weeks later; respected.

10/1

Form: 313C-2

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Placed in Irish points and won one of last season's five races over hurdles, also every chance when carried out at the last flight on final outing; open to improvement in handicap chases this season and second of five at Carlisle (2m4f, soft; unraced on heavy) was a good first step in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

13:22 Carlisle

Blue Fin

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Won this last year (soft) on his reappearance and ran well in the main subsequently, finishing fourth here in March when last seen (2m3f, good to soft); can have a big say if handling conditions (unraced on good ground).

9/2

4th

4

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

15:30 Carlisle

Blue Fin

11st 10lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Won over 2m1f here on his reappearance and that was off only 3lb lower; held his form after that but the wheels came off at Haydock last time; possibilities if back on song.

10/1

10th

5

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 50y

Class 4

13:20 Haydock

Blue Fin

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders on inner, weakened 3 out

12/1

Form: /435-7

Last run: 80 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Formerly trained in France for Patrice Quinton, kicking off with three wins in 2021 (one on heavy); second in the first two of his five runs over fences and soundly beaten on his last two starts, latest when back over hurdles in September; probably stays; overall improvement is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Intense Raffles

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Thomas Gibney

All three chase wins have been at Fairyhouse, notably the 2024 Irish National; well below best this season however, most recently at same venue in Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase in February; hard to be confident in and wants softer ground.

20/1

6th

8

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 2f 0y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Intense Raffles

11st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Thomas Gibney

Best efforts have come at this track with all three chase wins coming here, notably the 2024 Irish National; chased home Nick Rockett in this race last season; performances this season have been disappointing; faded from four out at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); pulled up in the Welsh National (3m6f, good to soft) and same story in the Theyestes last time; needs to come back to form.

28/1

2

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

15:30 Gowran Park

Intense Raffles

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Thomas Gibney

Best efforts at Fairyhouse; all three chase wins there, notably the 2024 Irish National; confirmed liking for that track when chasing home Nick Rockett last February; failed to take to the fences in the Grand National; faded from four out in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November; very laboured display in the Welsh National, pulled up at the 15th; up against it now.

12/1

Verdict

Unlucky Warwick faller Hurlerontheditch (second choice) is respected but preference is for THE KING OF RYHOPE (nap), who impressed with his win at Chepstow and should have plenty more to offer in this sphere. Happy And Fine and Blue Fin also ran well on their chase debuts but they did not make quite the same impression.[Richard Austen]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The King Of Ryhope

WEST COUNTRY:

Hurlerontheditch

TOPSPEED:

Happy And Fine

Daily Mirror:

Blue Fin

The Guardian:

Intense Raffles

The Times:

Happy And Fine

RP RATINGS:

The King Of Ryhope

POSTDATA:

The King Of Ryhope

Daily Record:

The King Of Ryhope

Telegraph:

Hurlerontheditch

Daily Mail:

Hurlerontheditch

D Express:

Hurlerontheditch

The Star:

Hurlerontheditch