December 26 / 14.50 Aintree

14.50

Soft

William Hill Cheltenham NRMB From January 1st Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 3f 200y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
RTV
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William Hill Cheltenham NRMB From January 1st Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 1107-3 BF

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Completed a hat-trick in novice hurdles in the Grade 1 Tolworth at Sandown (2m, soft) in January; disappointing in the Grade 1s at Cheltenham and Aintree, which was followed by wind surgery but he also ran moderately when reappearing for chase debut at Chepstow (2m handicap on heavy) seven weeks ago; connections now turn to headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Tahmuras

12st 0lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Pulled up on all four starts last year but he turned things around with a rallying second at Windsor (2m6f, soft; first-time blinkers) in January; 2lb higher after a break but he remains well treated on old form and this return to quicker ground should be fine; possibilities.

10/1

2nd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 3

16:05 Windsor

Tahmuras

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Very well handicapped on his 2024 form but pulled up on all four starts last year; dramatic turnaround required in first-time blinkers.

25/1

12

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Tahmuras

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Paul Nicholls

Won Grade 1 novice hurdle; talented novice chaser at about this trip last winter but he's run to his best only once in three starts this season and cried enough a long way out at Kempton recently (over 3m; had run well at the trip the time before); up against it.

40/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 27-221 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Did well in novice hurdles; second this term on first two runs over rules fences, latterly at this track, before winning by 15l in a five-runner novice handicap at Doncaster (2m3f, good; acts on heavy); most of the fences were omitted that day and he's been raised 7lb today but has more to offer over this sort of trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Ayr

General Officer

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Progressive novice who was suited by the return to a left-handed track when winning at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) last month; also effective on soft/heavy; this is a tougher test of his credentials than last time but he's up just 2lb and could continue to improve for last year's winning yard.

9/1

9

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Ayr

General Officer

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Progressive novice who was suited by the return to a left-handed track when winning at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) last month; also effective on soft/heavy; this is a tougher test of his credentials than last time but he's up just 2lb and could continue to improve for last year's winning yard.

9/1

1st

3

2nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

16:00 Kelso

General Officer

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders, raced in second from 2nd, led just before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on, always doing enough

4/1

Form: 25-411

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Bumper/hurdle winner in France; drew a blank in handicap hurdles for this yard (tried at up to 2m5f) but has won handicaps at Taunton (2m2f, good to soft) recently on his two starts over fences; latest was much more of a hard-fought affair, making all, and he is 6lb higher today but the front two finished 11l clear; has to be considered seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Heros

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

disputed lead

12/1

2

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Heros

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

disputed lead, lost position and squeezed out 5th, dropped to rear 7th, struggling 9th, jockey looked down to see if something was amiss after 10th, soon eased and pulled up

12/1

4th

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 4

15:00 Taunton

Heros

11st 7lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Dual 2m2f course winner last season; not at best on either outing this term but ran well to a point in stronger race than this at Sandown (2m4f, good to soft) a fortnight ago and is sure to be suited by the return to this track; might be the answer.

11/2

Form: 194-31 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who was 3-6 over hurdles last season; not discredited on chase/seasonal debut at Ludlow and improved when winning a four-runner novice handicap at Ascot (2m3f, good) four weeks later, going on five out; up 3lb but stays 2m4f, acts on soft and should be capable of better still.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

9th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:45 Killarney

Supreme Gift

10st 2lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

Second runner for yard; won five times over hurdles and once over fences when trained in UK; three chase starts for this yard with best run coming when fifth at Limerick; needs a fair bit more.

25/1

16

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Supreme Gift

10st 10lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Useful performer for Henry Daly, winning six races, including an Ascot handicap chase; modest form in two starts for this stable, albeit trip and testing ground probably not ideal on latest; new cheekpieces need to spark.

25/1

Form: 103-14 BF

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
A pretty useful novice hurdler last season; won a three-runner novice chase at Uttoxeter on reappearance in October but his jumping was not the most fluent and that was again the case when he managed only fourth of eight at 6-5 in a novice handicap at Ayr (again 2m on good to soft; more to prove on soft) in November; needs overall improvement to justify this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 2

16:18 Perth

Chasing Fire

10st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Generally disappointing during light campaign last season but turned things around with staying-on third here (2m4f, good to soft) on final start in April; remains well handicapped on older form and will be suited by this return to 3m; can't be ignored.

9/2

3rd

3

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:59 Perth

Chasing Fire

11st 7lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

in rear

14/1

3rd

3

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:59 Perth

Chasing Fire

11st 7lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

in rear

14/1

Form: 34P45- D

Last run: 256 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
4-10 over hurdles and ran creditably in defeat in notable handicaps at Kempton (2m5f, soft) and Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) to end last season; has good chasers in his pedigree and looks a useful prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Harbour Lake

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Won by a neck in this race (good) last year off 1lb lower, having been third in it the year before; 33-1 sixth at Aintree last month suggested he's working his way back to that level, so has to be considered seriously.

8/1

6th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Harbour Lake

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Won a good prize at Haydock (3m, good) last May; pulled up on return to action there in November but better when fourth of seven to Ma Shantou at Cheltenham (3m, good) on New Year's Day; being eased another 2lb can only help this C&D scorer but he requires a big career best as a 10yo.

28/1

1st

1

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Harbour Lake

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Pulled up (bled from the nose) at Cheltenham Festival in March but quickly bounced back with creditable second to Long Draw there (3m, good) last month; on a tough mark now but was placed in this race last year and probably won't be far away.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.60
Straight Forecast £28.04
Trifecta £84.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

General Officer

POSTDATA:

Heros

WEST COUNTRY:

Tahmuras

The Times:

Harbour Lake

Daily Mail:

Chasing Fire

RP RATINGS:

General Officer

TOPSPEED:

General Officer

D Express:

General Officer

Daily Mirror:

General Officer

The Star:

General Officer

Daily Record:

General Officer

The Guardian:

Heros

The Sun:

Heros

Telegraph:

Tahmuras