November 17 / 14.20 Cheltenham

14.20

Good

Three Counties Christmas Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 1m 7f 199y
  • Class 2
  • 4 runners
ITV
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Three Counties Christmas Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10

Form: 2240-2 D BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Very useful novice chaser last term, creditable fourth in the Arkle (soft); ran well in C&D handicap (good) on reappearance, finishing only a neck behind Calico (pair clear); could well build on that effort and reverse the placings; respected.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 63149/ CD BF

Last run: 584 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Smart when with Dan Skelton and has a good record at Cheltenham but badly lacks recent match practice, having been absent since April 2023; sold to new connections for £190,000 later that year; the betting could well be helpful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Third Time Lucki

10st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Had his troubles after such a promising start over fences for the Skeltons but he's back in the good books after small-field handicap wins at Bangor and Uttoxeter (both on good ground; effective on softer); returns to far classier company here and may be found wanting.

9/1

1st

2

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Third Time Lucki

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has regressed since showing such smart form for the Skeltons but looked back on good terms with himself when comfortably accounting for Fringill Dike at Bangor (2m1f, good), having led from halfway; back up 9lb but might well have turned a corner.

3/1

1st

5

17th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

14:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Third Time Lucki

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Very well handicapped on old form but, following a long absence, did not really fire on any of five starts for new stable last season; not beaten far when last of five in Ascot race won by Coastguard Station in March and another 5lb lower here but still needs to up his game.

13/2

Form: 204-P1 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Held on by only a neck from Matata over C&D (good) last month and isn't certain to confirm placings, with that rival open to further progress; however, looks a big player all the same; close second (off 3lb lower) in this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

6th

1

1st Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:40 Down Royal

Calico

12st 0lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; out of her depth in a Grade 2 chase at Punchestown festival; had a run over hurdles before 12l second to The Banger Doyle on handicap debut at Cork.

7/2

Form: /F231- D

Last run: 207 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with a Class 3 success at Perth (2m, soft; sole attempt in cheekpieces); had wind surgery (his third) since; returns on a career-high mark but is largely consistent and likely to give his running; has won when fresh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Gunsight Ridge

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Mike Sowersby

Smart at his best for Olly Murphy but last season never got off the ground and he's moved yards.

10/1

6th

1

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

15:40 Exeter

Gunsight Ridge

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Had a disappointing season and usually goes well at Sandown where he disappointed last time; has since undergone a fourth wind operation.

7/2

7th

2

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Gunsight Ridge

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Olly Murphy

Below-par fourth at Cheltenham in both outings this term; however, has form figures of 1321 at Sandown, most recently winning this race (off current mark on heavy ground) last year; possibilities back here.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.10
Straight Forecast £10.50
Trifecta £19.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Matata

Daily Mirror:

Calico

RP RATINGS:

Matata

TOPSPEED:

Matata

POSTDATA:

Matata

WEST COUNTRY:

Matata

The Times:

Matata

Telegraph:

Matata

D Express:

Matata

Daily Record:

Matata

The Sun:

Calico

The Star:

Calico