December 13 / 13.50 Cheltenham

13.50

Good To Soft

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 3m 2f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 52B-11 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent previously but, following wind surgery, took his form to a new level this season with always-prominent wins on good to soft at Chepstow (3m2f) and Aintree (2m5f, National fences); up another 8lb but it's easy to think he remains capable of better, such was the authority of those wins.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

14:25 Musselburgh

King Turgeon

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

raced wide, towards rear

7/1

1

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

14:25 Musselburgh

King Turgeon

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

raced wide, towards rear

7/1

3rd

1

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:45 Wincanton

King Turgeon

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

led, headed but pressed leader 2nd, prominent 10th

5/2

OUR TIP

16/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 10/7F-

Last run: 377 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Twice a major handicap winner (Ascot and Kempton) two seasons back after a break, latterly off 2lb lower than today; not seen since falling in another at Newbury in November 2023 and he's not come up the hill that well on previous visits to Cheltenham, but a case can be made.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 2

13:30 Cheltenham

Our Power

11st 8lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Successful in two notable handicaps (3m, good) in the 2022-23 campaign; finished second at this course (3m2f, good to soft) last month on return from layoff, showing he retains plenty of ability; major contender.

3/1

2nd

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 2

13:30 Cheltenham

Our Power

11st 8lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Successful in two notable handicaps (3m, good) in the 2022-23 campaign; finished second at this course (3m2f, good to soft) last month on return from layoff, showing he retains plenty of ability; major contender.

3/1

2nd

3

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Our Power

11st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Twice a major handicap winner (Ascot and Kempton) two seasons back after a break, latterly off 2lb lower than today; not seen since falling in another at Newbury in November 2023 and he's not come up the hill that well on previous visits to Cheltenham, but a case can be made.

16/1

6/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1214-1 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Usually races prominently and can make the running; 7yo who had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at 3m-3m1f last season, notably with a triumph on heavy ground here at the Festival, and he resumed with clearcut win on good in valuable handicap at Ascot six weeks ago; up another 5lb but the extra distance should help and he remains a fine prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Chianti Classico

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Usually races prominently and can make the running; 7yo who had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at 3m-3m1f last season, notably with a triumph on heavy ground here at the Festival, and he resumed with clearcut win on good in valuable handicap at Ascot six weeks ago; up another 5lb but the extra distance should help and he remains a fine prospect.

6/4

3rd

1

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Chianti Classico

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Usually races prominently and can make the running; 7yo who had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at 3m-3m1f last season, notably with a triumph on heavy ground here at the Festival, and he resumed with clearcut win on good in valuable handicap at Ascot six weeks ago; up another 5lb but the extra distance should help and he remains a fine prospect.

6/4

Form: 4145-2

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won at Sandown (3m, good) in February on second start for this stable and good second here (3m1f, good) four weeks ago; that needs respect but he's 2lb out of the handicap today and others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Java Point

10st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Henry Oliver

Won at Sandown (3m, good) in February on second start for this stable and good second here (3m1f, good) four weeks ago; that needs respect but he's 2lb out of the handicap today and others are more persuasive.

7/1

4th

6

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Java Point

10st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Henry Oliver

Won at Sandown (3m, good) in February on second start for this stable and good second here (3m1f, good) four weeks ago; that needs respect but he's 2lb out of the handicap today and others are more persuasive.

7/1

3

16th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Cheltenham

Java Point

11st 8lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: Henry Oliver

Won at Sandown (3m, good) in February on second stable start and fair efforts in defeat the next twice; however, he needs to be at the top of his game on today's reappearance if he's to win this competitive race.

16/1

Form: 733-14 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
9yo who was running over fences for the first time since 2022 when accounting for his 17 rivals here (3m1f, good) on reappearance in October; good fourth over that same C&D four weeks ago and has never been better, but position 4lb out of the handicap demands more again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

14:25 Musselburgh

The Newest One

10st 13lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in rear

12/1

10

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

14:25 Musselburgh

The Newest One

10st 13lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in rear

12/1

11

27th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

The Newest One

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

9yo who ran over fences for the first time since 2022 when winning an 18-runner race at Cheltenham (3m1f) on reappearance in October; good fourth over that same C&D next time and respectable fifth there two weeks ago; stays 3m2f but a bit below form in March 2022 when he attempted 3m5f.

12/1

Form: 27-34F

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Early faller at Cheltenham (3m3f) last month, following a satisfactory reappearance; that made it only 1-10 over fences but he was twice bang there from four starts this February-May, also running respectably when seventh in the Scottish National, and he's not entirely ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.

20/1

9th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.

20/1

2

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:45 Wincanton

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd

14/1

Form: 21P88- CD

Last run: 276 days

W: 11st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Ridden for the last three seasons by Lucy Turner; won the 2022 Kim Muir at Cheltenham and, despite his advanced years, hit a major career high when dominating the Becher over the big Aintree fences (3m2f, heavy; 5lb higher today) last December; out of form in his four starts later last term and, although he ran well first time out last season, he's probably not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 102y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Chambard

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

towards rear, headway on outer after 10th, lost ground after 15th

25/1

7th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 102y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Chambard

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

towards rear, headway on outer after 10th, lost ground after 15th

25/1

5

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:30 Haydock

Chambard

10st 4lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Now just 2lb higher than for 13l win in the Becher Chase at Aintree (3m2f, heavy) in December 2023 and he's not totally written off; however, this 13yo has been a long way below his best on his last four starts and a major turnaround is needed; cheekpieces return, in which he's run well in the past.

25/1

Form: 113322 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
2-20 over French fences, the wins in cross-country events this August and September; position nearly three stone out of the handicap for this race presumably rules him out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Izino dAiry

10st 2lb

J: Alexandre Seigneul

T: Guillaume Fabre

2-20 over French fences, the wins in cross-country events this August and September; position nearly three stone out of the handicap for this race presumably rules him out.

100/1

8

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Izino dAiry

10st 2lb

J: Alexandre Seigneul

T: Guillaume Fabre

2-20 over French fences, the wins in cross-country events this August and September; position nearly three stone out of the handicap for this race presumably rules him out.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £41.70
Straight Forecast £40.23
Tricast £101.60
Trifecta £152.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

King Turgeon

POSTDATA:

Chianti Classico

Daily Mail:

The Newest One

RP RATINGS:

King Turgeon

TOPSPEED:

King Turgeon

The Times:

King Turgeon

Daily Mirror:

King Turgeon

Daily Record:

King Turgeon

WEST COUNTRY:

Chianti Classico

Telegraph:

Chianti Classico

D Express:

Chianti Classico

The Sun:

Chianti Classico

The Star:

Chianti Classico