December 27 / 13.55 Kempton

13.55

Good

Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £30753
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
ITV4
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Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63

Form: 88-122 D BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Made a bright start over fences, winning a novice handicap at Aintree (2m, good to soft) in October before running into subsequent Grade 2 winner Djelo at the same track next time; ran with credit against fully-fledged chasers at Newbury last time and has earned a tilt at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Master Chewy

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Finished a creditable close second of three finishers in a Grade 2 at Kempton (about 2m4f, good) in January but he's an infrequent winner and it's two years since he ran well in a Grade 1 (not far away when falling two out in the Arkle here, then touched off at Aintree); well adrift in this race last year and there's no reason to expect much better today.

100/1

5th

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:45 Newbury

Master Chewy

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Landed this prize last year but incurs a bigger penalty this time, making him worse off with runner-up Libberty Hunter, and concedes weight to some other notable rivals that include a very promising 5yo; outgunned by 12yo Edwardstone at Kempton most recently; chance of doing the Game Spirit double partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

11/1

2

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Master Chewy

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Unproven at this trip but kept on well to win Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, soft) in February and his two subsequent defeats came in Grade 1s; likes it here, with course form figures of 122, and he's fine on good ground; from in-form yard and can play leading role if seeing out the trip.

4/1

Form: 62-112

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Early chase starts at about 2m4f have been marked by bold jumping from the front, including in handicaps first two occasions; found only Hermes Allen too good last time, showing good attitude; drop in trip ought to be fine for one with so much enthusiasm and he is the one to beat on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 1

13:50 Huntingdon

Nickle Back

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Often goes off in a clear lead and he wasn't for catching a few times as a novice chaser last season, the highlight his success in Grade 1 at Sandown (2m4f, good); could steal this race but the removal of his usual hood presents a question mark.

9/1

4th

4

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 1

13:50 Huntingdon

Nickle Back

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Often goes off in a clear lead and he wasn't for catching a few times as a novice chaser last season, the highlight his success in Grade 1 at Sandown (2m4f, good); could steal this race but the removal of his usual hood presents a question mark.

9/1

1

27th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

16:45 Sandown

Nickle Back

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

took keen hold, led, clear 2nd, not fluent 4th, reduced lead after 6th, mistake 12th, headed just before 3 out, soon weakened quickly and pulled up

11/4

12/1

Form: P7-14U D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Admirable handicap hurdler, most recent of his eight wins at Fontwell in October (2m3f, good); looked set to take a notable scalp in Tritonic at Wincanton on his chase debut (1m7f, soft) when unseating Harry Kimber two out; that too was in handicap company and he has a lot on at the weights here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Soul Icon

10st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

He's run pretty well in defeat at Kempton on his two starts this year (3m, good/good to soft); also ran okay when ninth in this last year (good to soft) but beaten nearly 20l and he's just 3lb lower this time around.

33/1

5th

3

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Soul Icon

11st 6lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Keiran Burke

His best form is over shorter, including last season's 2m Grade 2 victory here off the same mark as today; whether he wants 3m is questionable, for all that he was only 2l off The Doyen Chief here last month.

12/1

9th

9

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Soul Icon

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

Won a good-quality, seven-runner handicap at Kempton (2m, good to soft) in December and is just 2lb higher here; ran well when second of three at Exeter (2m1f, good) last time and he stays this far; each-way possible.

25/1

Form: 242-P1 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Winner of four of his 19 hurdles starts, despite often keeping good company; has run in two match races over fences, with his sole rival flopping at this track last time (2m2f, good to soft); that run has been rated a career-best effort but he still has a lot to find on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

16:57 Wincanton

Bourbali

11st 7lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Joe Tizzard

Mixes chasing with hurdling and is largely consistent; didn't fire at Kempton last month but is now 3lb lower than when second to Celtic Art at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) two starts ago and won't be far away if quickly back on song.

8/1

5th

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Kempton

Bourbali

10st 13lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Joe Tizzard

Mixes chasing with hurdling and holding his form well, making most of the running when 3l second of five at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) five weeks ago; firmly in the mix again.

12/1

2nd

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Taunton

Bourbali

11st 1lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Joe Tizzard

Mixes chasing with hurdling and consistent in the main; solid enough efforts in this discipline the last twice and Rian Corcoran's claim will come in handy; fine on all ground.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3-1554

Last run: 5 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

1st May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Warwick

Unexpected Party

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Bled from the nose when a fading fourth in the Aintree Foxhunters latest (2m5f, good to soft), though still had Fan De Blues comfortably behind for the second time this year; more prolific on easier surfaces but Taunton win in January reaffirmed he's effective on good as well.

2/5

4th

22

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Unexpected Party

12st 0lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham Festival in March 2024 (2m, soft) and runner-up in it last year (good to soft); comfortable wins in hunter chases on last two starts (2m5f/2m6f, good/good to soft); his stamina will be more severely tested in today's hotter company but leading claims if seeing it out.

4/1

1st

2

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:30 Haydock

Unexpected Party

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Useful handicapper who won the Grand Annual Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (2m, soft) and was second in that race last year (good to soft); did not need to be at best to make winning hunter chase debut at Taunton (2m5f, good; main rival disappointed) last month and ought to remain a potent threat at this level.

5/4

Form: 5-2411 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

12:45 Haydock

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch

14/1

8th

1

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

12:45 Haydock

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch

14/1

6th

1

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Pembroke

12st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Well handicapped on last season's best novice chase form and he reappeared with a fair sixth in the Welsh Champion Hurdle; however, he was well beaten at Carlisle only a fortnight ago and needs to bounce back.

9/1

Form: 08-111 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Djelo

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty.

9/4

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Djelo

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty.

9/4

6th

2

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Djelo

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Always behind and well beaten in the Ryanair but may benefit from this step back up in distance, having been well suited by 2m7f in the Denman Chase at Newbury (one of two soft-ground Grade 2 wins this term) the time before; largely progressive prior to latest start and unexposed over staying trips.

20/1

Form: 156-14 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

30

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Marble Sands

10st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Negotiated these fences safely in the 2m5f Topham one year ago, albeit fading into 12th; a strong-staying display to win at Cheltenham (near 3m4f, soft; 5lb higher today) in November hints at untapped potential over long distances.

50/1

Form: P57-24 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

17

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Petit Tonnerre

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form since his 16-1 win in this race last year; possibly back on a competitive mark now, only 3lb higher than 12 months ago; however, needs to step up on the form of his Aintree run.

10/1

7th

10

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Petit Tonnerre

10st 12lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Soundly beaten ninth in this 12 months ago (good to soft) and tailed off on his last three starts; however, the return to better ground can help and he won a big-field handicap at Punchestown (2m, yielding) last May; on a handy mark judged on that Irish form and he's not discounted.

20/1

5th

2

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Petit Tonnerre

11st 8lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Beat 22 rivals to win at Punchestown festival (2m, yielding) last May but looked out of sorts on both appearances since returning from a break in November and needs to turn a corner.

10/1

Form: 814-14 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.50
Straight Forecast £4.04
Trifecta £10.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Nickle Back

SPOTLIGHT:

Master Chewy

Telegraph:

Bourbali

TOPSPEED:

Master Chewy

WEST COUNTRY:

Master Chewy

D Express:

Master Chewy

POSTDATA:

Nickle Back

The Times:

Nickle Back

The Guardian:

Nickle Back

Daily Mail:

Nickle Back

Daily Mirror:

Nickle Back

The Sun:

Nickle Back

Daily Record:

Nickle Back

The Star:

Bourbali