February 10 / 15.30 Warwick

15.30

Soft

FGD Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £42712.5
  • 2m 0f 54y
  • Class 1
  • 3 runners
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FGD Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 3 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: -24113 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Narrowly in front of Matata in the 3m Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree last April; however, finished some 8l behind that rival in a Grade 2 chase at Lingfield last time (same terms) and his wins over fences were gifts, in a walkover and finishing alone in a four-runner race; seemingly relying on the Twiston-Davies horse being off his game.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 2-P142

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Inferior hurdler to his two rivals and the same is true over fences; would be receiving plenty of weight off both were this a handicap; only win over fences came in a match when the hot favourite had a shocker.
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

Form: 16-122 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Of similar ability to Pembroke over hurdles; comfortably made all on his chase debut at Ffos Las and has performed to a higher level in defeat, latterly keeping the smart JPR One honest in a good-quality Grade 2 at Lingfield (2m, soft); there's no reason why third-placed Pembroke should be reversing those placings; has to go left-handed so Warwick is perfect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Matata

12st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Something to prove regarding current form although he didn't take to the National fences when pulled up mid-race in the Topham at Aintree last week; this is a lower grade than he's used to contesting and he's capable of playing a big role if back on song now returned to conventional fences.

14/1

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Matata

11st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Better than ever when easily winning at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and on that evidence this 5lb higher mark isn't necessarily beyond him; however, two lesser runs have followed; has to get back on track.

25/1

5th

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Matata

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Nearly all races at around 2m1f and the step up to 2m4f was clearly a stretch behind Jonbon in an Aintree Grade 1 last April; coped better with the trip when a convincing winner of a C&D handicap (good; has won on soft) in January but a lesser effort followed at Windsor and he aims a lot higher here.

33/1

Verdict

The last two renewals were won by Edwardstone and Jonbon who then finished first and second respectively in the Arkle. The only runner with that Festival entry is MATATA who had Pembroke some 8l adrift when pushing a class act close in a Grade 2 at Lingfield last month. For one who has to go left-handed (jumps in that direction), this place should be tailor-made for him. Pembroke clearly needs to raise his game to make a race of it, while Bourbali is opposable on unfavourable terms.[Alistair Jones]