15.10
SoftHooorrrrraaayyy It’s Christmas Queens Arms Handicap Chase
- Prize money: £10562
- 2m 0f 92y
- Class 3
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
5/2 (Won)
- Win: £4.00
- Place: £1.60
Form: /2214- D
Last run: 284 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 216y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Fitting of cheekpieces sparked a revival in December, when landing a fifth success over fences at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); followed that up with a career-best RPR when third off this mark there (2m5f) the following month; respected but he'll need to leave behind a lesser effort last time. |
7/2 |
7/1
- Place: £1.40
Form: 0P6-33 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 13 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Ascot specialist who was second there in November off today's mark and he was in contention when unseating five out at Sandown in January; however, good runs were scarce in 2025 and he's been soundly beaten on all four visits here; tenth in this last year; blinkers replace cheekpieces. |
50/1 |
|
3 |
31st Jan 2026 Soft 1m 7f 99y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Has lacked consistency since completing a five-timer in 2024; best effort this term when second at Ascot on penultimate start; on last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form. |
12/1 |
6/1
- Place: £2.50
Form: 312-51 CD
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 8lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
1st Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 1f 14y Class 3 |
10st 7lb |
12yo who doesn't appear to be as good as he was and hasn't really threatened this season, but he's been a fair third on two of his last three starts and continues to edge down the weights; might not be far away. |
16/1 |
|
3 |
19th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 78y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Now 12 but showed when third of six at Lingfield (2m4f, soft) in December that he retains plenty of spark; effective on good to soft ground earlier in career; mid-race unseat at Wetherby last time; possible player. |
9/2 |
|
7 |
1st Feb 2025 Soft 2m 3f 85y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Long in the tooth now but was not that far off his career-best form when third of six at Lingfield (2m4f, soft) in December, after a layoff; 2lb lower here and has a fighting chance if aided by combination of refitted tongue-tie and first-time cheekpieces. |
7/1 |
14/1
Form: /P114- D
Last run: 249 days
W: 11st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 112
| 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 |
12st 0lb |
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 |
12st 0lb |
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 |
11st 4lb |
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 |
8/1
Form: /2812- D BF
Last run: 267 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
22nd Feb 2026 Soft 2m 2f 208y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Not firing on all cylinders this season but significant positives can be drawn from his recent third at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy), where he made good headway to challenge in the home straight; remains on a good mark; interesting. |
11/2 |
|
3rd 5 |
14th Feb 2026 Heavy 1m 7f 149y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Effective at 2m on heavy ground but his last win was two years ago; well handicapped on old form but he's been well held in his last three runs and needs to get back on track. |
16/1 |
|
5th 3 |
26th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 8y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
Both chase wins came when trained by Richard Bandey; tailed off over hurdles here (2m3f, soft) last month and back over fences at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) 17 days ago; down to a career-low mark but has it all to prove. |
25/1 |
6/1
Form: 622/55
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 |
19th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 116y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Spell over fences featured two wins last June; unable to take advantage of drop to selling level back over hurdles last time but won this contest off 5lb higher 12 months ago (admittedly beat only two rivals) and has a fighting chance provided he's back in similar form. |
5/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
28th Mar 2026 Good 2m 2f 148y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
A fairly useful winning hurdler/chaser at his best but his form has nosedived and he jumped poorly when last of six in 2m4f handicap chase at Leicester in December; back from a break now and needs it to spark a resurgence. |
11/4 |
|
1 |
20th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 166y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Front-runner who won two Uttoxeter chases in June (2m5f/2m4f) and returned from 12-week break with pretty good second at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) this month; remains on career-high mark but ought to make his presence felt again. |
3/1 |
7/1
Form: 62-12P C
Last run: 38 days
W: 12st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
30th May 2026 Good To Firm 2m 2f 148y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Won five over hurdles for previous yards and three over fences last term for current trainer; may have needed the run when seventh of eight finishers at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month after six-month layoff but probably needs to come down the weights. |
6/1 |
|
7th 5 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 16y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Five-time hurdle winner who did well over fences in the second half of last year, with three wins and two seconds; returns after six months off but he's only 2lb higher than for his last success and he has won when fresh in the past; needs close look back over hurdles. |
8/1 |
|
6 |
11th Oct 2025 Good 2m 0f 11y Class 3 |
10st 11lb |
Record of 2-8 over fences, with both wins gained this summer in small-field handicaps on good ground; put in his place by an improver in a novice last time; dangerous if allowed to dominate (front runs). |
7/4 |
9/2
Form: 648-11 D
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 13lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
2nd Feb 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Three wins from ten runs over fences, the latest at Leicester (2m, heavy) last February; may have needed the run after 312-day break when well beaten last time; a possible. |
10/1 |
|
7th 6 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 67y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
12yo who is racing for the first time since last February; however, he won at Leicester (2m, heavy) back then and he won after some time off in November 2023 (2m, good to soft); 2-2 here (bumpers in 2018); not discounted. |
9/1 |
|
1st 2 |
25th Feb 2025 Soft 1m 7f 201y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Jumped poorly and was well beaten on seasonal debut in November but got back on track with front-running third at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month and remains well handicapped on older form. |
5/2 |
Non-runners
The Plimsoll Line
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £13.20 |
| Straight Forecast | £12.86 |
| Tricast | £77.04 |
| Trifecta | £83.10 |
Selections
The Guardian:
Mr Grey SkyDaily Mail:
Mr Grey Sky