December 18 / 13.10 Plumpton

13.10

Good To Soft

Harry Philips Birthday Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £14522.75
  • 2m 3f 164y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Harry Philips Birthday Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 5665-1 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Sparingly raced since French hurdle win (soft) in late 2021 but returned from wind surgery with a pleasing display on chase debut at Lingfield last month (2m4f, good to soft) when jumping economically and winning with plenty in hand; up 8lb in a better race but has potential at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

31st Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 3

15:55 Leicester

Oxygen

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Looked an exciting prospect (on the back of a wind op) when landing 2m4f handicap chases at Lingfield and Plumpton this winter but he beat only one at Plumpton last time; he remains with potential though and shouldn't be written off by any means.

3/1

4th

5

7th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 3

13:15 Plumpton

Oxygen

10st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Ex-French 6yo; unplaced all four hurdling starts for Venetia Williams last season but, following a wind op, is 2-2 since switched back to chasing this term, the latter win over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago; should be fine on today's slower ground and has plenty of scope for further progress.

9/4

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 3642-1 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdler who looked the part when making a successful chase debut at Warwick (2m4f, soft), jumping soundly and showing a good attitude; up 10lb against others with potential but a major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

14:58 Ludlow

Pepe Le Moko

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Rallied for a near miss over C&D in December (Regal Renaissance challenging when falling) and he was part responsible for the strong pace off which Rodney won at Hereford (2m5f, soft); capable of being involved should this pan out more favourably.

8/1

3

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Pepe Le Moko

11st 8lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Won this race on chasing debut in 2023 and was also on target at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) the following January; drew a blank and became rather disappointing last season but can be very dangerous off current mark if revitalised after 225-day break.

8/1

3

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Pepe Le Moko

11st 8lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Won this race on chasing debut in 2023 and was also on target at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) the following January; drew a blank and became rather disappointing last season but can be very dangerous off current mark if revitalised after 225-day break.

8/1

Form: 435-63 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Not yet matched best hurdle form at about 2m5f in two chase runs but he showed promise in a higher grade at Wincanton on the second occasion until a mistake four out cost him; likely to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Scarface

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time chase winner and his last success was in this race (off 2lb lower) last year; has been in and out this season but he bounced back with a fair third in Class 2 handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) two weeks ago; has possibilities if he can back that up and he's versatile ground-wise.

12/1

3rd

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Scarface

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Inconsistent this season but has finished a good second on two occasions (November/December) and filled the same position in this race 12 months ago prior to beating Heltenham at Newton Abbot; well capable of posing a threat, provided he's back to form.

8/1

5th

5

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Scarface

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Usually wears cheeekpieces; inconsistent (2P2P) this term but sole attempt in blinkers resulted in a good effort at Ascot (2m3f) on penultimate start; could go well in the reapplied blinds.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: -1115P D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won five consecutive handicap hurdles at about 2m4f for previous yard in 2023 (ground ranging from heavy to good); raced much too freely and paid the price on 2m4f chase debut for new yard at Kempton last time; that inability to settle is a worry again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

5th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:40 Newton Abbot

Mullinaree

12st 0lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Syd Hosie

Landed a five-timer over hurdles (2m3f-2m4f) for Milton Harris last March-June, ridden by Bradley Harris and the final leg off 5lb higher than today; respectable fourth at Plumpton in December on his second attempt over fences for this stable but off since pulling up over hurdles the following month; needs to be ready to roll back from a break and reverting to fences.

7/1

0

2

26th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Mullinaree

11st 10lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Syd Hosie

Defied a 2lb lower mark last summer (2m4f, good; fine on softer) and returns to this discipline after two defeats over fences, the latest a respectable effort (beaten 10l); probably in fair form and entitled to run well.

20/1

Form: 221-41 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Improved hurdle form when 3m winner in April; looked promising recruit to fences until mistakes crept in late on Ludlow chase debut (3m, good to soft); off the mark at Fontwell since (2m3f, heavy) but he might have lost out had the second jumped two out better; has potential though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Visored last three starts and staged a revival on last two, winning well in seven-runner race at Market Rasen (extended 2m7f) 11 days ago; back up 5lb but he used to be capable of a bit better still.

9/1

5

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Was out of form but off a reduced mark he pushed a progressive winner close at Wincanton 19 days ago (3m, good to soft); strong claims if he can build on that.

7/2

1st

5

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Was out of form but off a reduced mark he pushed a progressive winner close at Wincanton 19 days ago (3m, good to soft); strong claims if he can build on that.

7/2

20/1

Form: 31-173 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Improved to win maiden and handicap hurdles at about 2m5f (on soft and good) in the spring but below best in two runs since break, markedly so latest; cheekpieces fitted on chase debut; easier tasks await.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

16:15 Fontwell

Godot

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Andy Irvine

Didn't run badly when fifth of seven here (2m5f, good to soft; usual headgear removed) 12 days ago and has become well handicapped but this season has been largely disappointing and he's not yet proven over this far.

16/1

5th

1

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Fontwell

Godot

12st 0lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Andy Irvine

Three-time winner but arrives here in no sort of form and the new blinkers (replacing usual cheekpieces) did nothing for him two weeks ago; now goes in no headgear; risky.

12/1

5th

1

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

Godot

12st 0lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Andy Irvine

Always tended to be all or nothing but has often run well on soft; risks involved now, having been pulled up on his last two starts, but he's capable of popping up, switched from cheekpieces to first-time blinkers under in-form Rian Corcoran.

8/1

Form: 112-32

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Hurdling for nearly three years, winning four at about 2m1f; ran up to his best when going close over 2m4f here last time out but will do well to make a successful chase debut against today's promising rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

23rd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

15:30 Fontwell

Monjules

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

His form has deteriorated and he was only eighth at Wincanton last month; however, he had shown spark when third at Taunton in November following a break, and he's not ruled out now back at the scene of his last two wins.

12/1

8th

9

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Monjules

11st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

midfield, headway before 3rd

20/1

8th

9

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Monjules

11st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

midfield, headway before 3rd

20/1

Non-runners

Red Windsor

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.20
Straight Forecast £8.15
Tricast £19.55
Trifecta £25.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Oxygen

WEST COUNTRY:

Pepe Le Moko

TOPSPEED:

Hardy Fella

The Times:

Pepe Le Moko

Telegraph:

Pepe Le Moko

The Guardian:

Pepe Le Moko

D Express:

Pepe Le Moko

RP RATINGS:

Oxygen

POSTDATA:

Oxygen

Daily Mirror:

Oxygen

The Sun:

Oxygen

The Star:

Oxygen

Daily Record:

Oxygen

Daily Mail:

Hardy Fella