October 24 / 14.55 Carlisle

14.55

Good To Soft

David Allen Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 3m 2f 34y
  • Class 4
  • 5 runners
RTV
View Course
David Allen Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

15/8 (Won)

Form: P2133- D

Last run: 187 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle at Hereford (3m1f, soft) in February and is also effective on good to soft ground; he's the only chasing newcomer in the field but is in top hands and won an Irish maiden point in March 2023, so could improve for the switch to fences; reappears having had a wind op.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

16:03 Wincanton

Illico De Cotte

12st 2lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Will Biddick

Lightly raced gelding who did well in handicap chases last season for Dan Skelton before losing his way; beaten in two points for current yard and he'll need more here; has won on heavy.

4/1

3

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Illico De Cotte

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Scored by 8l on seasonal/chase debut at Carlisle (3m2f, good to soft) in October and was placed over 3m on next two outings; finished very weakly when upped to 3m5f at Warwick last month, which is a concern, but could plausibly still have untapped potential over marathon trips.

10/1

3

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Illico De Cotte

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Scored by 8l on seasonal/chase debut at Carlisle (3m2f, good to soft) in October and was placed over 3m on next two outings; finished very weakly when upped to 3m5f at Warwick last month, which is a concern, but could plausibly still have untapped potential over marathon trips.

10/1

Form: 113343

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has finished placed a lot more often than he's won but he was on the scoresheet three times in the first half of this year (2m4f/3m, soft/good) and was a good third at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) recently; also effective here and he may well be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th Dec 2024

Good

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:45 Catterick

Elleon

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won three chases in the spring (2m4f-3m) and has posted some good efforts in defeat since; he simply didn't jump well enough when upped to 3m6f four weeks ago but he can bounce back if he gets into a better rhythm here.

8/1

2

28th Dec 2024

Good

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:45 Catterick

Elleon

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won three chases in the spring (2m4f-3m) and has posted some good efforts in defeat since; he simply didn't jump well enough when upped to 3m6f four weeks ago but he can bounce back if he gets into a better rhythm here.

8/1

6

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 5f 190y

Class 3

13:35 Newcastle

Elleon

10st 6lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

didn't jump well, in touch with leaders, sprawled on landing 1st

13/2

Form: -62143

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Point runner-up (3m, soft) who won a handicap hurdle at Bangor (2m7f, good) in June; he's well treated on that form and things may click over fences at some stage, but there have been jumping errors and heavy defeats on his first two chase starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

14:30 Newcastle

Home Sweet Highway

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

led, soon went clear, mistake 11th, good jump 14th

13/8

1

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

14:30 Newcastle

Home Sweet Highway

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

This is much easier than the three 0-120 novice handicaps he's contested over fences so far, but mistakes have been as much the issue as race class, as was again the case at Carlisle latest; down 3lb more.

13/8

3rd

5

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 34y

Class 4

14:55 Carlisle

Home Sweet Highway

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Point runner-up (3m, soft) who won a handicap hurdle at Bangor (2m7f, good) in June; he's well treated on that form and things may click over fences at some stage, but there have been jumping errors and heavy defeats on his first two chase starts.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 17418-

Last run: 187 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent over hurdles last season but posted a career-best RPR when winning at Market Rasen (3m, heavy) in March on her sole chase start; has also won on good to soft ground; interesting contender now back over fences for her reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Phillapa Sue

11st 13lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

held up in rear, steady headway after 7th, raced in second when not fluent 3 out, lost position before 2 out, weakened before last

4/1

1

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Phillapa Sue

11st 13lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Went close at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December and also ran well when fourth over C&D (soft) in February; current mark is workable but she was very disappointing on good ground last month and would appeal much more on a slower surface.

4/1

10th

8

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Warwick

Phillapa Sue

11st 7lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Not disgraced in two of her last three starts as when fourth of eight at Chepstow (3m, soft) four weeks ago, but this trip on drying ground may be an insufficient test for her now and she looks vulnerable to younger rivals.

14/1

Form: 4P75-2

Last run: 162 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Two-time hurdle winner (heavy/good to soft) who is 0-5 in chases but went close at Ffos Las (3m4f, good) in May on final outing for the Hobbs/White yard; sold for £30,000 eight days later; should be suited by this test of stamina on his stable debut and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

24th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:12 Uttoxeter

Ballydisco

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-11 over fences but he has the form to feature off this mark if ready to rock on his stable debut after a long absence; the market should be informative.

8/1

3

20th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Ballydisco

11st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

100/30

3rd

4

24th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 4

14:25 Ayr

Ballydisco

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Ex-Philip Hobbs/Johnson White; dual hurdle winner (including on testing ground) but yet to win over fences, although came close when head second at Wetherby in November (3m, good); fair efforts since; one to consider.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £11.33

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Elleon

The Guardian:

Ballydisco

SPOTLIGHT:

Illico De Cotte

The Times:

Home Sweet Highway

WEST COUNTRY:

Phillapa Sue

D Express:

Illico De Cotte

Daily Mirror:

Ballydisco

The Sun:

Ballydisco

Daily Record:

Ballydisco

TOPSPEED:

Elleon

POSTDATA:

Elleon

Telegraph:

Elleon

Daily Mail:

Elleon

The Star:

Elleon