December 15 / 13.50 Cheltenham

13.50

Soft

Cheltenham Racecourse Food Bank Collection Mares’ Handicap Chase (Challenger Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £11618.2
  • 2m 4f 127y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
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Cheltenham Racecourse Food Bank Collection Mares’ Handicap Chase (Challenger Series Qualifier)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 20-7U3 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Close relation Stage Star keeps taking higher rank at this track; this mare made her debut only last November, winning a maiden hurdle (2m4f, heavy); sent chasing this season, unseating three out on second attempt but showing improved form when third of nine against classy rivals at Down Royal (2m3f, soft) latest; brings considerable potential to this handicap chase debut, as well as a fair chance on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

22nd Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 0y

14:50 Fairyhouse

La Malmason

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

prominent, led after 2nd, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 5th, faced challenges 5 out, headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up approaching last

8/1

1

22nd Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 0y

14:50 Fairyhouse

La Malmason

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

prominent, led after 2nd, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 5th, faced challenges 5 out, headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up approaching last

8/1

OUR TIP

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 5P42-8

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Seven wins in the mud in France, two of them over fences; two minor honours stand out among her five runs for this yard and she's now had her second wind operation during her time in Britain; chance if she bounces back from her reverse here in October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

6th

8

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

held up in rear

33/1

14/1

  • Place: £5.00

Form: 163-83 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; beat just two opponents to win chase/handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m6f) last November and that's not proved a springboard to better things; edging back down the weights, though, and her third of five at Lingfield (2m7f) last time gives her a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Eureka Creek

11st 5lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Sarah Humphrey

Won a mares' novice hurdle and a mares' novice handicap chase for Emma Lavelle back in 2022; creditable third in a mares' handicap hurdle on stable debut in October (2m3f, good) but well beaten over fences last time.

20/1

2

18th Nov 2025

Good

2m 6f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Lingfield

Eureka Creek

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Ex-Emma Lavelle; doesn't have the best of win records; creditable run when third in a Bangor mares' handicap hurdle on reappearance (2m3f, good; stable debut); each-way chance on this return to chasing.

15/2

3rd

7

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Eureka Creek

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Useful chaser for Emma Lavelle; didn't fire on either outing last autumn, latterly when back over hurdles, and makes stable debut after 338-day absence but has slipped to a dangerous mark and the booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye.

16/1

Form: -423U3 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Reliable; has form in the mud, albeit with peak ratings having come on good to soft and good; close up when unseating at the last here in October and career-best form here in third last month, both over 2m but the first leg of her quick double this spring was registered over C&D and the second came over 3m; back up in trip and has to be in serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 2

14:25 Plumpton

Walk In Clover

10st 12lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Headstrong mare who settled okay in the first-time hood at Ascot last week (2m1f, good) but found nothing significant for pressure once the chips were down; has the form to feature but she's not one to rely on.

12/1

5th

7

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 2

14:25 Plumpton

Walk In Clover

10st 12lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Headstrong mare who settled okay in the first-time hood at Ascot last week (2m1f, good) but found nothing significant for pressure once the chips were down; has the form to feature but she's not one to rely on.

12/1

4th

5

24th Mar 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 2

15:20 Ascot

Walk In Clover

10st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, held up in rear, went third before 4 out

13/2

Form: 7214-3 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Easily made all in maiden hurdle at Wetherby (2m5f, soft) for Fergal O'Brien in March; creditable third of eight on handicap/chase debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) in October when reappearing for new yard, rallying, but she needs better if she's to turn the tables on runner-up Malaita.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

20th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:30 Market Rasen

Pougne Aminta

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Hurdle winner (2m5f) who has had only three runs over fences and was a good front-running second in a Wetherby handicap (2m3f, soft) in January; on same mark after a short break but she still has stamina to prove at this sort of trip and others are more persuasive.

100/30

2nd

4

25th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:35 Wetherby

Pougne Aminta

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Alastair Ralph

led

11/2

5th

12

15th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 3

13:50 Cheltenham

Pougne Aminta

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Easily made all in maiden hurdle at Wetherby (2m5f, soft) for Fergal O'Brien in March; creditable third of eight on handicap/chase debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) in October when reappearing for new yard, rallying, but she needs better if she's to turn the tables on runner-up Malaita.

20/1

Form: 322-6P D

Last run: 187 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner who is 0-6 as a chaser but has finished runner-up on three of those occasions; pulled up in June latest and left Gordon Elliott for £26,000 in September; stays 2m4f and acts on soft but probably requires a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

8th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:08 Ludlow

Happy Dex

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Very well handicapped on old Irish form but returned from long absence with four disappointing chase runs towards end of last season and her current hurdling ability is very hard to gauge; tongue-tie removed after one use.

16/1

9

17th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:10 Cheltenham

Happy Dex

10st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Sheila Lewis

Very well handicapped on old form over shorter trips for Gordon Elliott but returned from long layoff with two disappointing runs this year; fared a bit better in first-time cheekpieces at Ludlow (3m, good; race won by Saint Doctor) a fortnight ago but looked held when unseating rider at fourth-last fence; upped in trip and fitted with tongue-tie here.

50/1

9

17th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:10 Cheltenham

Happy Dex

10st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Sheila Lewis

Very well handicapped on old form over shorter trips for Gordon Elliott but returned from long layoff with two disappointing runs this year; fared a bit better in first-time cheekpieces at Ludlow (3m, good; race won by Saint Doctor) a fortnight ago but looked held when unseating rider at fourth-last fence; upped in trip and fitted with tongue-tie here.

50/1

Form: 3133-6 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won at Carlisle (2m5f, soft) in February when back to her form the previous spring but it hasn't been repeated in her three starts since; had wind surgery in July and well beaten when 16-1 at Kempton last month; competitive if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

27th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:30 Wincanton

Lilith

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Returned to form with small-field win in first-time visor at Carlisle (2m5f, soft) last month; remains on a workable mark and will be fine over today's longer trip but was struggling to keep up with Juniper before falling quite heavily at three out at Taunton (2m5f, soft) on latest outing.

7/2

2

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 4

17:00 Taunton

Lilith

11st 12lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Made it 2-2 at Carlisle (2m5f; both on soft) when winning the same race for the second time this month (first-time visor replaced blinkers, as today); acts on sharp right-handed tracks as well and, despite going back up 4lb, her first Carlisle win came off this mark; looks good for a big run.

13/8

1st

3

5th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 3

15:02 Carlisle

Lilith

11st 3lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Hasn't threatened this season but he faced a tough Listed assignment last time and is now 4lb lower than when winning this last year (soft); not ruled out with a first-time visor replacing blinkers.

11/4

Form: 124P-2 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won at Newcastle in 2022 in a bumper and a maiden hurdle; had wind surgery in August and her second of 12 at Ayr (2m4f, good to soft; not proven on soft) on chase/seasonal debut was a good effort in the tongue-tie first time; there's room for improvement in her jumping and, although raised 3lb, she could be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

27th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:52 Wincanton

I Am Gonna Be

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Charlie Longsdon

pressed leaders, raced in third after 3rd, mistake 4 out

10/1

1

24th Sep 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Warwick

I Am Gonna Be

12st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Has mixed record over fences since last autumn but was a respectable fifth in a much stronger race than this when back over hurdles at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month and is another 3lb lower here; seems best suited by good/good to soft ground; big player.

7/1

5th

10

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Worcester

I Am Gonna Be

10st 11lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Bumper/hurdle winner; very mixed over fences since joining this yard and now returns from a third wind operation; risky.

10/1

Form: P136-1

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Two chase wins over about 2m6f last winter but she showed something new when easily accounting for her four rivals over about 3m at Chepstow (soft) on reappearance three weeks ago; 9lb higher today and back down in trip but she did it well last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

15th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 3

13:50 Cheltenham

Mad About Sally

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Two chase wins over about 2m6f last winter but she showed something new when easily accounting for her four rivals over about 3m at Chepstow (soft) on reappearance three weeks ago; 9lb higher today and back down in trip but she did it well last time.

11/2

1st

2

24th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Mad About Sally

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Two chase wins last winter over shorter; hasn't looked the strongest stayer in three runs over 3m under rules and she'll need to be cherry ripe to take this back from 232 days on the sidelines.

7/1

Form: 33-117 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in May and Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) in October on her first two attempts over rules fences; needs to bounce back from a poor show at Kempton, where she jumped to her left; won a 2021 hurdle race on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Petticoat Lucy

11st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Launched chasing career with two convincing wins last year (2m5f/2m3f); not much has gone to plan since but she may not have handled the heavy ground on last month's seasonal debut and may yet bounce back; new trip.

16/1

6

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Petticoat Lucy

11st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Launched chasing career with two convincing wins last year (2m5f/2m3f); not much has gone to plan since but she may not have handled the heavy ground on last month's seasonal debut and may yet bounce back; new trip.

16/1

6

19th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

14:20 Stratford

Petticoat Lucy

11st 4lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Absent since suffering early mishap at Cheltenham last December but won readily at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) when fresh a year ago and is only 1lb higher today; must be considered.

7/1

Form: 11-224 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
On the up in February-May in handicap hurdles and she's resumed with two good efforts in 2m4f handicap chases, latterly when helping to make the running and finishing on the heels of Game On For Glory at Warwick (soft); dropped 1lb and may have more improvement in her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

15:55 Hereford

Malaita

11st 1lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Mel Rowley

Two chase wins at about 2m4f in early 2024 (soft and good); has not found life easy this winter but 3m found her out on her latest start (first-time tongue-tie; cheekpieces now added) and the return to shorter on good ground should suit; bold bid likely.

3/1

2nd

2

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:42 Market Rasen

Malaita

11st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Mel Rowley

Has won twice over fences, both over 2m4f; fair third in a mares' handicap at Ludlow last time (2m4f, soft); could go well but perhaps better at shorter.

9/4

3rd

6

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

Malaita

11st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Mel Rowley

10yo whose losing sequence is up to 13 after disappointing run at Windsor (2m4f, soft) latest; however, she was runner-up on final two outings in 2025 (2m4f/3m1f, good to soft/soft) and might not be far away if back on song.

12/1

Form: 34-12P

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Unraced on worse than good to soft; easily won a match on chase debut at Uttoxeter (3m) in May; appeared to run creditably, despite jumping to her right, when second at Newton Abbot (3m2f) in July but followed that with a poor show at Market Rasen four weeks ago; that prompts headgear first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

18th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Worcester

Brianna Rose

11st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Bounced back to form with clearcut win at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) in April and was placed off today's mark there the following month but her subsequent hurdle run was underwhelming and she needs to be perked up by a change of headgear.

6/1

7th

8

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

20:15 Uttoxeter

Brianna Rose

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Won in good style over fences at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) in April, after a break, but was not quite in the same form over that C&D last month and would prefer the rain to stay away before this hurdling return.

10/1

3rd

6

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Brianna Rose

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Suffered significant dip in form last season but returned from ten-week break with 5l win over C&D (good to soft) last month and remains well handicapped after a 3lb rise; will have something to prove if the ground turns soft but, otherwise, has strong claims.

7/2

Non-runners

Game On For Glory

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.00
Straight Forecast £28.63
Tricast £347.22
Trifecta £419.90

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Walk In Clover

RP RATINGS:

Mad About Sally

SPOTLIGHT:

La Malmason

POSTDATA:

Malaita

The Star:

I Am Gonna Be

WEST COUNTRY:

Petticoat Lucy

Daily Mail:

La Malmason

D Express:

La Malmason

The Times:

Walk In Clover

Telegraph:

Walk In Clover

The Guardian:

Walk In Clover

The Sun:

Walk In Clover

LAMBOURN:

Mad About Sally

Daily Mirror:

Mad About Sally

Daily Record:

Mad About Sally