December 26 / 13.28 Wincanton

13.28

Good To Soft

Rodney Francis Chinnock Memorial Lord Stalbridge Cup Handicap Chase (Challenger Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £6073.15
  • 3m 1f 30y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Rodney Francis Chinnock Memorial Lord Stalbridge Cup Handicap Chase (Challenger Series Qualifier)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 74P14-

Last run: 286 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
No longer the force of old but showed the benefit of a wind op when making all at Kempton (2m4f, good) in February and gave a very good account in Cheltenham Festival cross-country chase the following month; a possible if fully tuned up after 286-day absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

27th Oct 2024

Good

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:15 Wincanton

Lieutenant Rocco

10st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Anthony Charlton

pressed leader, led before 12th, pressed leader when headed 15th, not fluent 17th, outpaced before 3 out, weakened after 2 out

14/1

13

11th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Lieutenant Rocco

12st 0lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: Syd Hosie

Looked as though he might develop into a smart handicapper a few seasons back only for injury to intervene; won a Kempton handicap (2m4f, good; has won on heavy) 14 months ago but holding his form has been a challenge and he was well beaten by Espoir De Guye last time.

25/1

13

11th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Lieutenant Rocco

12st 0lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: Syd Hosie

Looked as though he might develop into a smart handicapper a few seasons back only for injury to intervene; won a Kempton handicap (2m4f, good; has won on heavy) 14 months ago but holding his form has been a challenge and he was well beaten by Espoir De Guye last time.

25/1

Form: 044-3P

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Very respectable third on seasonal/stable debut at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) last month but ought to have been suited by the soft ground when pulled up at Ludlow three weeks ago and today's headgear switch needs to perk him up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

27th Jan 2024

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

15:50 Doncaster

Stellar Magic

10st 13lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Billy Aprahamian

Bounced back quickly from a disappointing run (in cheekpieces) to open chasing account in first-time blinkers at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last month; not one to rely upon heavily but recent 4lb rise ought to be manageable if he responds well to a first-time visor.

11/2

2

26th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

13:28 Wincanton

Stellar Magic

12st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Billy Aprahamian

Very respectable third on seasonal/stable debut at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) last month but ought to have been suited by the soft ground when pulled up at Ludlow three weeks ago and today's headgear switch needs to perk him up.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: -214P8 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won easily over C&D (good to soft) in April and also successful in Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) the following month, but he looked badly out of sorts on both outings in the autumn (albeit in better races than this) and needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 1

15:00 Warwick

Duc De Beauchene

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Two wins last spring included 3m5f Norfolk National at Fakenham (good; used to act on soft); 2lb lower today as he's failed to fire in his four starts since; reverting to blinkers from recent cheekpieces might help.

20/1

Form: 12P4- D

Last run: 269 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Wide-margin point winner who made a very promising start to rules career over hurdles towards end of last year; ended last season with two lesser efforts but still looks very interesting on today's chase/handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Mr Vango

10st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Mrs Sara V Bradstock

Usually goes well in the mud; last season's hat-trick culminated in the 4m2f Midlands National and he rallied to go very close against Twig in the 3m2f Becher over these fences on first outing this term; while there was so much to admire to that point, he's cracked with alarming speed in 3m and 4m1f races on his last two outings.

66/1

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Mr Vango

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Mrs Sara V Bradstock

Hugely the class act in this field and last season's hat-trick culminated in the 4m2f Midlands National; rallied to go very close in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f) on first outing this season; he wasn't going almost immediately once headed (fairly early stage) last time, which is a nagging worry despite that race being over just 3m; soft or heavy ground is ideal but there's no doubting his strength in stamina and that factor is key.

7/1

1

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Mr Vango

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Mrs Sara V Bradstock

Needs soft/heavy ground; grand stayer who completed a notable hat-trick (3m1f-4m2f) last term, culminating in Midlands National win; went very close in the Becher Chase at Aintree (3m2f) in sole outing this season, showing further progress on the figures; the weather has interrupted plans since; respected, with a slog at the trip on the cards.

13/8

Form: 61P-P1

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Bounced back from a disappointing seasonal debut (over hurdles) to win narrowly at Taunton (2m7f, good) last month; will be fine on today's slower ground but has become a hard mare to predict and is on a career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

13:28 Wincanton

Lady Kk

11st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Jeremy Scott

Bounced back from a disappointing seasonal debut (over hurdles) to win narrowly at Taunton (2m7f, good) last month; will be fine on today's slower ground but has become a hard mare to predict and is on a career-high mark.

7/2

1st

1

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Lady Kk

12st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpieces when winning small-field mares' chase here (2m5f, good) in March but was pulled up on both subsequent outings (chase/hurdle) and has become a hard one to predict.

10/1

0

6

29th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

16:04 Wincanton

Lady Kk

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Ran poorly on last season's sole run over hurdles, while taking well to fences until a respiratory noise was reported on final outing; cheekpieces last two; needs to be back at her best on this first run since wind surgery.

16/1

Form: 11P4-4

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
2-5 over fences; ended last season with two disappointing runs but returned with respectable fourth at Kempton (2m4f, good) last month; now back on her last winning mark and today's move back up in trip ought to suit; contender if first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:10 Newton Abbot

Love Actually

11st 3lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

Won back-to-back handicap chases (2m7f/3m) on right-handed tracks two winters ago and she may prefer going that way round; modest form of late in cheekpieces and now tries blinkers.

20/1

10

14th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Love Actually

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

in touch with leaders

9/1

10

14th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Love Actually

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

in touch with leaders

9/1

Form: 1F33-2 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Opened chasing account in this race last year (good to soft) and made a pleasing reappearance when second at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month; looks sets for a bold defence of his crown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 85y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

No Hubs No Hoobs

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Joe Tizzard

Ended last season in excellent form, completing a hat-trick with clearcut success at Exeter (3m6f, heavy), but made nothing better than a satisfactory reappearance in October and was pulled up in Welsh Grand National on only subsequent appearance; still on a fairly tough mark and needs to get back in the groove.

6/1

16

27th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

No Hubs No Hoobs

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Ended last season in excellent form on heavy ground in blinkers, winning twice over 3m1f at Wincanton before drawing 6l clear over an extended 3m6f at Exeter; should have come on markedly since October reappearance and this is only his second run over a marathon trip; could have more to offer, though seemingly the deeper the ground the better it is for him.

16/1

Selections

RP RATINGS:

No Hubs No Hoobs

Telegraph:

Lady Kk

SPOTLIGHT:

Mr Vango

TOPSPEED:

Love Actually

POSTDATA:

No Hubs No Hoobs

WEST COUNTRY:

No Hubs No Hoobs

The Times:

No Hubs No Hoobs

The Guardian:

No Hubs No Hoobs

Daily Mail:

No Hubs No Hoobs

D Express:

No Hubs No Hoobs

Daily Mirror:

No Hubs No Hoobs

The Sun:

No Hubs No Hoobs

The Star:

Lady Kk

Daily Record:

Lady Kk