December 23 / 13.15 Ascot

13.15

Good To Soft

Howden Graduation Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 2m 5f 8y
  • Class 2
  • 3 runners
SKY
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Howden Graduation Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 3 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75

Form: 2212-3 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Only third of five when favourite for a 2m5f good-ground novice hurdle here on his recent stable debut but he did well in a brief chasing career in France and today's softer ground should be preferable; however, has his work cut out on these terms (even with 4yo allowance) and his BHA mark of 133 could yet be flattering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

30

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Excello

10st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

4lb out of the handicap today and his losing sequence is up to 12 races; however, he ran pretty well when outstayed in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham (3m2f, good) last month and is racing off just 2lb higher than when third of 17 over C&D (good to soft) in the Grand Sefton in November; yard has won this five times and he holds each-way possibilities back down in trip.

25/1

9th

15

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Excello

11st 1lb

J: Mr Henry Main

T: Nicky Henderson

Very close fourth of six at Sandown last March (3m, good; albeit lost three places close home) and good third over the National fences at Aintree (2m5f, good to soft) in November; however, tailed off there (3m2f, soft) in December and there's a suspicion he'll again be lacking the necessary stamina.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 221P-2 D BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Best racing right-handed and career-high form in winning last season's Grade 2 Pendil Chase at Kempton (2m4f, good; fine on softer) in February before his only blip all campaign, at Sandown; unable to dominate as he likes when a rallying runner-up in Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup and every chance of getting some freedom up front this time; hard to resist on very favourable terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:10 Kempton

Solo

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who appears to have regressed but heavy ground may have been too much at Sandown three weeks ago and prior to that he was a fair fourth at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); his two biggest wins have come at Kempton and he's one to consider now back here off a dangerous mark.

15/2

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

Form: 1444-2

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Made a good start to his chase career last season before predictably coming up well short in Grade 1s at Cheltenham and Aintree; faced another stiff task at the weights on last month's C&D return and ran as well as could be expected behind the much higher-rated Pic D'Orhy; would be receiving 9lb off Solo in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:50 Aintree

Straw Fan Jack

10st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Capitalised on a reduced mark in three-runner handicap at Ludlow (3m, good) in April and could improve for this month's 25l second of five on reappearance at Ludlow (3m, good to firm), when making mistakes; also effective on soft ground; possible player if jumping better this time.

7/1

1

8th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:35 Ludlow

Straw Fan Jack

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

10yo who turned things around when narrowly beating an odds-on rival in a C&D handicap (good; 11-2) in April; been absent since then but he's only 1lb higher than for that win and has claims if he can pick up where he left off.

9/2

1st

5

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Straw Fan Jack

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Commendable third off 11lb higher at last year's Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft; good ground also suits) but badly out of form this season (four runs) and is the one in this line-up with by far the most to prove.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.50
Straight Forecast £5.44
Trifecta £7.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Solo

LAMBOURN:

Excello

TOPSPEED:

Straw Fan Jack

D Express:

Excello

The Star:

Excello

RP RATINGS:

Solo

POSTDATA:

Solo

WEST COUNTRY:

Solo

The Times:

Solo

Telegraph:

Solo

The Guardian:

Solo

Daily Mail:

Solo

Daily Mirror:

Solo

The Sun:

Solo

Daily Record:

Solo