December 13 / 12.17 Doncaster

12.17

Good To Soft

Talasey Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6178.77
  • 2m 7f 214y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
SKY
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Talasey Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00

Form: /25-12 C

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Opened chasing account with emphatic success at Southwell (3m, good) in October, after a layoff, and ran big race in defeat behind a next-time-out winner at Ludlow (3m1f, good) last month; will be a tough nut to crack if the addition of cheekpieces has any positive effect here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

The Kniphand

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Two small-field wins this term, latterly in first-time cheekpieces which have been kept since; rallied since for third at Uttoxeter (soft) and second at Doncaster (good), leaving the strong impression over 3m2f last time that he has stamina reserves; up 2lb but makes each-way appeal.

11/1

17

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

The Kniphand

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Two small-field wins this term, latterly in first-time cheekpieces which have been kept since; rallied since for third at Uttoxeter (soft) and second at Doncaster (good), leaving the strong impression over 3m2f last time that he has stamina reserves; up 2lb but makes each-way appeal.

11/1

2nd

14

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

The Kniphand

10st 7lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Won well under Finn Lambert over about 3m in small fields at Southwell (good) in October and Doncaster (good to soft) in December, latterly in first-time cheekpieces which have been kept since; up 4lb to this mark when a creditable, rallying third on soft at Uttoxeter three weeks ago; has more to give over this sort of trip and may well revert to winning ways.

10/1

Form: 312613 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
2-5 since switched to chasing in the summer, the wins gained on good ground at Worcester (2m4f) and Exeter (3m); gave another good account when third at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last month and is probably still on a workable mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:45 Taunton

A Definite Getaway

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

A dual winner (at about 3m) last April but he's not been seen since coming in a well-held third of five in 3m2f handicap chase at Newton Abbot ten months ago; he needs to hit the ground running.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3FP-52 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Quite well handicapped on hurdling form but chasing didn't really go to plan last season (two attempts) and it's hard to gauge what he achieved when second in tactical, two-runner race at Newcastle (2m4f, good) last month; could still have a good future over fences but others in this line-up are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Imperial Merlin

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Pulled up at Warwick in January last time but was in pretty good heart towards the end of last year and he's now 1lb lower than when winning at Haydock (3m, good) last March; also handles soft; capable of going well.

12/1

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

14:37 Warwick

Imperial Merlin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: John & Sean Quinn

Only 1lb higher than for his Haydock win over a similar trip last March; does have a lot of weight though and was only fifth at Haydock last time, finishing just behind Gwennie May Star.

8/1

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Imperial Merlin

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: John & Sean Quinn

Not well handicapped but arrives here after a 3l second of eight at Uttoxeter when tried in cheekpieces (2m7f, good); no reason why he won't be involved once more.

6/1

Form: 454-31 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Bumper/hurdle winner who built upon her very encouraging seasonal/chase debut when rallying well for narrow win at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) three weeks ago; 4lb higher here but can make significant further progress if her jumping is more fluent this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

Lilting Verse

11st 13lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Hasn't been at her best of late (behind Smurfette latest) but she has the form to feature off this mark and won't mind getting back on drier ground; stays this far; possible.

4/1

4th

3

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:45 Southwell

Lilting Verse

11st 11lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Solid record off current mark comprises a success at Huntingdon in 2024 and second-place finishes in this race last year and at Ffos Las in October; not ruled out.

13/2

7th

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Lilting Verse

11st 13lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Gave good account when second on seasonal debut at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October and remains on a workable mark but her latest run was disappointing and she'd arguably appeal more on better ground than is forecast.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.40
Straight Forecast £4.79
Trifecta £10.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Kniphand

TOPSPEED:

Lilting Verse

RP RATINGS:

The Kniphand

POSTDATA:

The Kniphand

Daily Mail:

The Kniphand

D Express:

The Kniphand

Daily Mirror:

The Kniphand

The Star:

The Kniphand

Daily Record:

The Kniphand

The Times:

Lilting Verse

Telegraph:

Lilting Verse

The Sun:

Lilting Verse