December 12 / 13.25 Warwick

13.25

Soft

M-Tec Engineering Solutions Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 0f 54y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
RTV
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M-Tec Engineering Solutions Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 130-22 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Two-time Flat and three-time hurdle winner (various ground) who was a good second last month on his first two chase starts (2m4f/1m7f, good/good to soft), including here; brings solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(7)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Skycutter

9st 11lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Very much enjoyed the run of the race when making all over 1m6f here 13 days ago; may not have the same luxury this time, but is just 3lb higher and remains unexposed in staying handicaps on the AW.

11/4

1st

2

(2)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

14:14 Southwell (AW)

Skycutter

10st 0lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Useful jumper; 25lb higher when joining this yard and, after five defeats at big prices, he's run well to finish third at Southwell (1m4f) and Wolverhampton (1m6f) in last two starts; should go well again and he could be a big factor if he gets a good pace.

9/2

3rd

5

(7)

3rd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Skycutter

9st 9lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Useful jumper; 25lb higher when joining this yard and, after five defeats at big prices, the money came for him at Southwell 17 days ago (1m4f); fared better in third on that occasion and he's handicapped to go well.

11/4

5/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 4128P-

Last run: 229 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Tailed off/pulled up in the spring in his first two British handicap hurdles but a break may have helped and he showed promise in novice contests previously; trainer has a useful team of novice chasers and it will be no surprise to see a good run on this 5yo's first start over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

The Good Doctor

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Potentially well handicapped but he's 0-7 over fences and has been well below his best the last twice, on good ground (tried a visor) and soft (no headgear); did win in a tongue-tie when trained in France and that aid belatedly returns; couldn't rule out.

8/1

5th

4

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:05 Warwick

The Good Doctor

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made it 0-6 over fences when tailed off in first-time visor at Leicester in December; however, the headgear is left off today and he's on a competitive mark on his best chase form; won on testing ground in France; could be thereabouts if bouncing back to form.

11/2

4th

1

28th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 4

15:23 Newbury

The Good Doctor

12st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Two hurdle wins and better form when second over fences in December in 2m handicaps at Warwick and Newbury, both on good to soft; short-headed in the latter but flopped when favourite at Hereford (upped to 2m5f) six weeks ago, when having three runs in just over a month was blamed; stamina to prove beyond 2m2f, even if he's back to form; yard is going strongly.

15/8

Form: 53P-22

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
He's improved for the switch to fences and finished second at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month on his first two chase starts; could continue to progress and he's a possible player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Lucky Lugger

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

On a losing run but he fared better than of late when third of eight over C&D 22 days ago; he needs considering eased 2lb.

11/2

3rd

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Lucky Lugger

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Matt Sheppard

Won at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) last February but he's been pulled up in three of his last six runs and was a well-held fourth of six at Ffos Las last time; now 7lb lower than for his last win but he needs a big turnaround.

12/1

4th

1

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Ffos Las

Lucky Lugger

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Matt Sheppard

Out of sorts since a couple of sound performances, including an account-opening win, last February; chance of revival depends on how well he responds to added cheekpieces.

14/1

7/2

Form: 3132-4 D BF

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in January on second run in a handicap hurdle, and fair efforts the next twice (2m/2m4f, soft); ran okay when fourth on his chase and seasonal debut at Carlisle (2m, good to soft) in October and this lightly raced 6yo may be able to build on that latest performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:15 Hereford

Damarta

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Began 2024 with quite stylish win for Olly Murphy at Southwell (2m, good to soft) but became rather disappointing during light campaign last season and was sold for 3,400gns in February; needs to have been revitalised by subsequent change of scenery.

12/1

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:15 Hereford

Damarta

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Began 2024 with quite stylish win for Olly Murphy at Southwell (2m, good to soft) but became rather disappointing during light campaign last season and was sold for 3,400gns in February; needs to have been revitalised by subsequent change of scenery.

12/1

5th

4

10th Feb 2025

Good

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

15:00 Catterick

Damarta

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear throughout

8/1

Form: 1325P9

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Two-time Flat and two-time hurdle winner who has travelled from Ireland for this second chase start; one to watch in the betting but he's been out of form over hurdles the last twice and he didn't jump well when pulled up on his chase debut at Downpatrick in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

18:15 Hexham

Seasett

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

A fair 2m3f hurdles scorer for John Joseph Hanlon but he ended his time there below par; starts out for his new yard on a handy-looking mark though so he's not without interest on the back of wind surgery; visor replaces blinkers.

9/2

6th

1

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:55 Worcester

Seasett

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Dual hurdles winner at around 2m3f (stays 2m4f); well beaten in all three starts for this trainer; handy mark as a result and support for him would be interesting.

13/2

5th

3

13th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 180y

18:30 Sligo

Seasett

11st 8lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

prominent, outpaced before 2 out, weakened approaching last

7/1

Form: 22919- D

Last run: 264 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent over hurdles last season and tailed off in his two handicaps, but in between those he won a Wincanton maiden (1m7f, heavy) and he makes his seasonal and chase debut following wind surgery; in top hands and this lightly raced 8yo could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:10 Down Royal

Onethreefivenotout

11st 6lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

One of three for yard; 3m2f handicap chase winner for Paul Nicholls off 5lb lower at Newton Abbott in May (3m2f, good); never travelled when pulled up at Fontwell in June (3m2f, good); preferred by Kennedy and goes on any ground; market can guide on debut for new yard.

17/2

7

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:10 Down Royal

Onethreefivenotout

11st 6lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

One of three for yard; 3m2f handicap chase winner for Paul Nicholls off 5lb lower at Newton Abbott in May (3m2f, good); never travelled when pulled up at Fontwell in June (3m2f, good); preferred by Kennedy and goes on any ground; market can guide on debut for new yard.

17/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.40
Straight Forecast £8.93
Trifecta £32.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Skycutter

TOPSPEED:

Damarta

RP RATINGS:

Lucky Lugger

WEST COUNTRY:

Onethreefivenotout

POSTDATA:

Damarta

The Star:

Damarta

Daily Record:

Lucky Lugger

D Express:

Onethreefivenotout

The Times:

Skycutter

Telegraph:

Skycutter

The Guardian:

Skycutter

Daily Mail:

Skycutter

Daily Mirror:

Skycutter

The Sun:

Skycutter