December 16 / 13.15 Cheltenham

13.15

Soft

Quintessentially Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20812
  • 2m 0f 62y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
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Quintessentially Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £3.80

Form: F-82U6 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Only a 4yo but he's already had seven runs over fences, winning twice (2m1f/2m3f) in France; behind Calico and Prince Escalus when sixth here four weeks ago but faded only on the run-in; Harry Cobden an interesting booking.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Madara

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

3-1 favourite when easily winning the 23-runner Plate at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last month in reapplied cheekpieces (retained); hit with a 10lb rise but that may not stop this 7yo, who could still have more to offer.

4/1

1st

9

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Madara

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Four chase wins for other yards, most recently in February 2024; 0-4 for this trainer but he achieved a lifetime best when close up on the New course (about 2m4f, good to soft) in December 2024, off this mark to an improver; has a strong record in other races here and looks to retain all his ability since back from an absence; regular cheekpieces refitted; rock-solid contender.

4/1

2nd

1

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Madara

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful on his day, particularly in cheekpieces which were missing when he seemed to need the outing over Christmas on return from 12-month layoff; with the headgear again left off, the market may offer extra guidance.

11/4

7/4

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 1P32-3 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
5yo who ran right up to his best when a fast-finishing third of 11 here (2m, good) in October; still has relatively few miles on the clock and represents a stable in top form; has to enter calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 150y

16:42 Listowel

In Excelsis Deo

11st 11lb

J: Mr S J Kenny

T: E Bolger

Won a Grade 2 handicap over 2m4f a couple of years ago for Harry Fry before losing form; some good efforts in point-to-points, including recent win under this jockey; previously, was only around 7l off stablemate Solitary Man over 2m4f at Cork (disqualified, rider weighed in marginally light).

12/1

7th

12

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

In Excelsis Deo

12st 0lb

J: Emma Fitzgerald

T: E Bolger

Rated in 140s at peak over fences, best form over much further, others preferred.

14/1

11th

5

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:10 Cork

In Excelsis Deo

12st 0lb

J: Mr S J Kenny

T: E Bolger

Solid overall form in points, highlighted by a defeat of Its On The Line at Cragmore in January; unseated rider in Belclare contest won by Asian Master; stablemate Solitary Man has superior claims.

7/1

Form: 1F5-66 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Chased home Energumene in the 2022 Champion Chase; might have needed his first two outings this season after wind surgery, shaping a bit better when sixth of eight at Ascot on latest; his mark is dropping, drying ground would be no inconvenience and he'll be dangerous if building on that second run back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

13th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Funambule Sivola

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Outsider in this contest for the last two years, flattered when second in 2022 (race fell apart) and early faller in 2023; following Boothill's late fall, he inherited a remote second behind Edwardstone at Newbury last month when bidding for a third Game Spirit success; has the worst chance judged on this season's form.

100/1

2nd

3

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:40 Newbury

Funambule Sivola

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has failed to threaten in handicaps on his four runs this season but was also below his best last term prior to a major revival when winning this race for the second consecutive year; four visits to Newbury have yielded three C&D wins (including on soft) and no surprise if he's bang there.

10/1

6th

1

27th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

11:50 Doncaster

Funambule Sivola

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Landed this prize in 2022 and also has two subsequent Grade 2 chase wins on his CV; on the downgrade now but last month's Cheltenham third (2m, soft) was very respectable and today's faster ground will suit.

9/2

Form: 17-774 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
2m chaser who seems to be building up to something, now 2lb below his last winning mark and not beaten that far (33-1; 4l behind Calico) when fourth of 11 at the November meeting here; enjoys a 5lb weight pull with Calico, and the more the ground dries out, the better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Prince Escalus

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed most of last season but returned from nine-month break with quite encouraging third (albeit well held in the end) at Perth (2m, good to soft) last month; on a good mark and will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; contender if that recent outing has brought him on.

9/2

4th

4

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Prince Escalus

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed most of last season but returned from nine-month break with quite encouraging third (albeit well held in the end) at Perth (2m, good to soft) last month; on a good mark and will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; contender if that recent outing has brought him on.

9/2

3rd

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Prince Escalus

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Absent since below-par effort in the 2024 Summer Plate and hasn't won for over two years; however, he's well treated on best form and market support should be noted.

10/1

Form: 121F-2 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer who has run well on both his previous visits to Cheltenham, most recently headed only near the finish in 11-runner race (2m, good to soft) in November; the winner franked the form with a good third at Ascot next time; creeping up the weights but has notably solid credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

6th

1

1st Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:40 Down Royal

Calico

12st 0lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; out of her depth in a Grade 2 chase at Punchestown festival; had a run over hurdles before 12l second to The Banger Doyle on handicap debut at Cork.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 03-035 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Gamely made all in last season's Betfair Hurdle; returned to fences for the first time in 11 months when fifth of eight at Ascot (2m1f, good; finished a place in front of Funambule Sivola) three weeks ago; will have to build on that but it's certainly possible and he's well treated on several pieces of form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 195y

Class 3

15:50 Plumpton

Aucunrisque

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Not as good as he was but that's reflected in his mark and he knows his way around this place; returning from a break when third in this 12 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; could easily have a role to play.

7/2

3

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 2

15:50 Cartmel

Aucunrisque

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Not quite as good as he was but still a useful performer; placed on final two starts last season (2m hurdle/2m1f chase) and drops back in trip after looking stretched by 2m4f last month; probably best on good/good to soft but has won on soft; enters calculations.

13/2

2

16th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

18:20 Aintree

Aucunrisque

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Not quite as good as he was but still a useful performer; second off today's mark on latest hurdling start at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in March and also ran well when third in Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton (2m1f, good) last month; well worth another crack at 2m4f; probably won't be far away.

4/1

Form: 211P-P D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Might have needed the run when pulled up over hurdles at Carlisle six weeks ago, but he also failed to finish (bled from the nose) on his final outing in 2022-23 and this is a sterner assignment than the northern handicaps he usually contests.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Baron De Midleton

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Brian Ellison

midfield, lost position and reminders before 5th, struggling 3 out, no chance when mistake 2 out, soon pulled up

9/4

2

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Baron De Midleton

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Brian Ellison

midfield, lost position and reminders before 5th

9/4

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Baron De Midleton

11st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Brian Ellison

set good pace, led, not fluent 4th, soon headed, lost two places before 3 out, weakened and pulled up quickly before 2 out

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.70
Straight Forecast £30.96
Trifecta £151.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Calico

WEST COUNTRY:

In Excelsis Deo

The Star:

Madara

Daily Mirror:

Prince Escalus

RP RATINGS:

Funambule Sivola

The Times:

In Excelsis Deo

Daily Mail:

In Excelsis Deo

D Express:

In Excelsis Deo

The Sun:

In Excelsis Deo

TOPSPEED:

Calico

POSTDATA:

Calico

Telegraph:

Calico

The Guardian:

Calico

Daily Record:

Calico