January 01 / 14.05 Cheltenham

14.05

Soft

Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 2m 4f 127y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
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Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 534-P6

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Ran a mighty race until his stamina evaporated in last month's Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); runs off mark 1lb higher than when good third of 23 in the Plate at the Festival in March (C&D, soft) and he could play a leading role now back down in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

35

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Shakem UpArry

10st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

11yo whose three peak ratings were recorded over an extended 2m4f in the mud at Cheltenham, notably his Plate win at the 2024 Festival (2lb higher today); flew over these fences in the Topham next time but cracked badly in the closing stages and he's not really got going this season, 14th back in the Plate last time; lots of doubts.

66/1

35

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Shakem UpArry

10st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

11yo whose three peak ratings were recorded over an extended 2m4f in the mud at Cheltenham, notably his Plate win at the 2024 Festival (2lb higher today); flew over these fences in the Topham next time but cracked badly in the closing stages and he's not really got going this season, 14th back in the Plate last time; lots of doubts.

66/1

3

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Shakem UpArry

11st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Runs off the same mark as for his Cheltenham Festival win last year (2m4f, soft) and he was a creditable fourth of 15 in this race in 2023 (good to soft); however, he was outstayed on that occasion and this 11yo has finished down the field on both outings this year.

25/1

15/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 40-323

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
His losing run is up to 11 and he's proving difficult to win with, while from out of the handicap today he's 4lb higher than when a near-10l third in the December Gold Cup over C&D (soft) 16 days ago; however, he's been running well this season and might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Frero Banbou

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who won when upped to an extended 2m7f at Newcastle (good) in November and ran well when 10l second at Kempton (3m, good to soft) next time; however, below par at Doncaster (3m, good) subsequently and pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) last month; needs to get back on track.

33/1

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Frero Banbou

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who won when upped to an extended 2m7f at Newcastle (good) in November and ran well when 10l second at Kempton (3m, good to soft) next time; however, below par at Doncaster (3m, good) subsequently and pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) last month; needs to get back on track.

33/1

20

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Frero Banbou

10st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who was below par at Doncaster (3m, good) last time but had previously enjoyed a new lease of life following a step up in trip, winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good) then runner-up at Kempton (3m, good to soft); has a consistent record at Cheltenham and he's an each-way possible if back to form.

50/1

Form: /10-13 C

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
11yo who has looked as good as ever this season, winning at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) on reappearance before staying-on third in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft); has plenty of good form here and, having lost his pitch mid-race last time, the returning cheekpieces could help; has a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

9th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

15:30 Wincanton

Al Dancer

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sam Thomas

pressed leaders, led 2nd, left clear 4 out, went clear from 2 out, ridden after last, kept on well

16/1

1st

1

9th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

15:30 Wincanton

Al Dancer

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sam Thomas

Found to have a wound on his leg when last to finish in a 2m6f Grade 2 at Sandown on final appearance; pretty much as good as ever at times last season and succumbed only to Forward Plan in Kempton's big 3m February handicap (soft; effective on good); not handicapped out of this with Callum Pritchard claiming 7lb and he's usually mustard after a break.

16/1

4

27th Apr 2024

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Al Dancer

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

More or less as good as ever in handicaps this season, winning at Chepstow and running a blinder when second in valuable event at Kempton (3m, soft) in February; arrives here relatively fresh and doesn't have much to find on the ratings, even though Dylan Johnston cannot claim his usual 5lb.

8/1

Form: 211-11 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Second-season chaser who made it four wins in a row when back over fences at Aintree (2m4f, heavy) 23 days ago; finished tired on the ultra-testing ground, which the majority of his rivals failed to handle, and he's up 8lb; however, he still won by 14l and this progressive 8yo is not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Richmond Lake

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

10yo whose 13-race losing sequence goes back to December 2023 but he's run some good races in the meantime (including on soft), most recently staying on for a neck second in the Peter Marsh here (extended 3m1f, good to soft); on that evidence he's well worth a crack at a marathon trip.

8/1

2nd

7

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Richmond Lake

10st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Ran really well when third in this last year (soft) and kept on for second at Aintree (2m4f, soft) last month, albeit no match for the winner; this 10yo has a good record here and, now 8lb lower than 12 months ago, he could be involved back up in trip.

10/1

Form: 2P1/F6 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who returned from long absence in Paddy Power Gold Cup here (2m4f, soft) in November and was beaten when falling two out; didn't run badly when sixth in December Gold Cup over C&D (soft) latest and perhaps he'll build on it, but this 10yo is even further out of the handicap today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Torn And Frayed

10st 10lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Has shown consistent form (3122) this term, all in veterans' events, the success at Aintree (3m1f, good); ran creditably, one place in front of Eldorado Allen, at Cheltenham (2m4f) last time; likely player, assuming he continues in the same vein.

9/2

1st

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:50 Aintree

Torn And Frayed

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

His jumping can be an issue, as was the case when well beaten in this race last year and when third of seven on recent reappearance at Chepstow (2m7f, good to firm); however, he did well in the circumstances and can have a big say if minimising the blunders; has won on good and soft.

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 1115-1 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 166

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Chase here (2m4f, soft) in March and also the Paddy Power Gold Cup here (2m4f, soft) in November, winning by 4l despite a blunder at the final fence; he's gone up 11lb to a very lofty mark but has strong claims in view of that latest performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Stage Star

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Best known for his 2m4f exploits that include Grade 1 novice wins over hurdles/fences; however, put up a good fight against odds-on L'Homme Presse when upped to 3m1f in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (soft) most recently, emerging as the best horse at the weights; one of a few runners who remain unexposed at this sort of trip.

13/2

3rd

7

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Stage Star

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Best known for his 2m4f exploits that include Grade 1 novice wins over hurdles/fences; however, put up a good fight against odds-on L'Homme Presse when upped to 3m1f in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (soft) most recently, emerging as the best horse at the weights; one of a few runners who remain unexposed at this sort of trip.

13/2

2nd

2

25th Jan 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Stage Star

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second, led after 1st, faced challenge before 2 out, soon disputing lead, hung left run-in, no extra towards finish

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.50
Straight Forecast £35.19
Trifecta £124.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Stage Star

SPOTLIGHT:

Shakem Up'Arry

POSTDATA:

Frero Banbou

TOPSPEED:

Stage Star

WEST COUNTRY:

Stage Star

The Guardian:

Stage Star

Daily Mail:

Stage Star

D Express:

Stage Star

Daily Mirror:

Stage Star

The Sun:

Stage Star

The Star:

Stage Star

Daily Record:

Stage Star

Telegraph:

Shakem Up'Arry

The Times:

Frero Banbou