December 14 / 12.40 Cheltenham

12.40

Good To Soft

Josh Wyke Birthday Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 3m 1f 56y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Josh Wyke Birthday Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 411-21 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won at Chepstow and Bangor on his last two outings (about 2m7f in the mud) as a novice hurdler; made a good start over fences when second to Destroytheevidence at Chepstow (blundered at the final fence) and 15l winner from the only other finisher at Aintree (3m1f, good) five weeks ago; up another 5lb but promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Haiti Couleurs

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

In the last 13 months he's won Cheltenham's NH Chase (3m6f), the Irish National (3m5f), a hurdle race, Welsh National (near 3m7f; 12lb higher today) and a Newbury Grade 2; no way can he be ruled out, particularly as he finished well on top in those four chases, but there have also been two major blips this season; latest was in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, for which he was just 6-1 and made most but went to nothing turning for home (writing on the wall four out); however, he's bounced back before, the likely tempo of this race can suit him better and the trip looks like doing so as well.

16/1

6

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Haiti Couleurs

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Prominent-racer who won the NH Chase (Handicap) at this meeting 12 months ago (3m6f, good to soft) and bounced back from November's Betfair Chase flop to win the Welsh National (3m6f, good to soft) and also the Grade 2 Denman Chase (2m7f, heavy); this highly progressive 9yo is now 6-8 over fences and should prove well suited to the demands of today's race, all the more so if there's rain and stamina is at a premium; firmly in calculations.

5/1

1st

3

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

14:10 Newbury

Haiti Couleurs

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Superbly progressive novice last term, winning Cheltenham's NH Chase (3m6f, good to soft) and the Irish National (3m5f, soft to heavy); hurdles win here in November before something seemed amiss in a Grade 1 at Haydock 16 days later, but he bounced back from that with a sparkling display to dominate the Welsh National (3m6f) six weeks ago; that was another serious advance and he looks like earning his place in top Graded races after this.

4/5

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 581-21 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won two 3m1f handicap hurdles at Plumpton (soft/good) last season and has taken well to chasing at this track this term, arriving late on the scene to justify favouritism in a 3m1f amateurs' handicap on latest outing (good ground); up 3lb but highly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Transmission

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Tapped back into last season's initial promising form, and then some, to win by 12l in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft; from Rock My Way) in February with a first-time visor, which has been kept since; ridden by 7lb claimer when fair third off this 8lb higher mark behind Havaila in the Sussex National at Plumpton 19 days ago but needs to hit new heights again.

16/1

3rd

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Transmission

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

Tapped back into last season's promising form, and then some, to win by 12l in a first-time visor at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft; Edinburgh National) in February; has also won on good ground and 2-2 over hurdles here; an 8lb rise may not stop him if the visor maintains its positive effect.

7/2

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Transmission

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Cheltenham regular over fences and competitive off slightly higher marks than this last season, never-nearer fifth in the NH Chase when shaping as if he stayed 3m6f; that's not been the case this campaign and although a good deal closer at Ascot last time, he was still only eighth of ten finishers; needs to build markedly on that in new visor, replacing cheekpieces.

9/2

13/8

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1/11-1 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner who came back from a layoff to score over 2m4f here (heavy/good) in both his hurdle races; returned to Cheltenham to justify favouritism on chase/handicap debut (2m4f, good) four weeks ago, asserting on the run-in; up 7lb but he's strong candidate for 3m+ and for further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Peaky Boy

10st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Early faller in February, after one-year layoff, and safely held in two major handicaps since (2m4f/2m5f); has more to prove than some of these but will be suited by the forecast good ground and is not written off just yet.

14/1

10th

21

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Peaky Boy

10st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Showed abundant promise in late 2024 on his first two chase starts and is on a competitive mark on that form; remains lightly raced and he could improve for last month's run in the Plate at Cheltenham, when finishing mid-division, but others arrive with more compelling claims; a tongue-tie is added.

40/1

12th

11

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Peaky Boy

10st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Sparingly raced but has a lot of ability, making a successful chase debut over C&D (good) in November 2024 then close up in a well-contested handicap here (about 3m1f, good to soft); however, he didn't jump well when tailed off for new yard at Ascot last February and took a heavy early fall at Newcastle last month on his only start since; now goes in cheekpieces; talented but risky.

16/1

Form: 310-33

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won 2m4f novice hurdle in February on debut for Fergal O'Brien then rejoined John McConnell after a poor handicap run in April; respectable third in beginners chase at Punchestown (2m) but soundly beaten here over 3m (which he stays) later in October; wore cheekpieces twice last term, running well here on first occasion, and they are back today; work to do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

9

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Moon Dorange

10st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: John C McConnell

Inconsistent chaser who's saved his best for Cheltenham in 2025 and 2026, including a win (his only handicap success) in January 2025 and third at the Festival this March; both were over an extended 2m4f and he's shown his form only once from seven attempts under rules over 3m+; not the percentage call.

16/1

7th

9

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Moon Dorange

10st 10lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: John C McConnell

9lb higher when beaten 3.5l by Riskintheground 12 months ago; 0-10 in the meantime but the new visor worked well when a never-nearer third in the Plate at Cheltenham last month and clear claims if he can back that up.

9/1

3rd

22

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Moon Dorange

10st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: John C McConnell

Pulled up in the 2m4f novice handicap here last March but that was out of character as he had won over that C&D the time before and generally has a good track record; not much of a force this season, though, and he doesn't look in enough form to take advantage of a weights drop; often wears headgear, first-time visor today.

50/1

OUR TIP

Form: 240-12 D BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism from Haiti Couleurs at Chepstow (3m, good to soft) in October on chase debut; turned over at evens in another novice handicap at Newbury (near 3m, good) four weeks later but registered his best form, keeping on well in second; should run very well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Destroytheevidence

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Took the notable scalp of Haiti Couleurs on his chase debut last season and ran well afterwards, including a near miss in this race; poor the last twice (heavy/soft) when tried in a visor but the cheekpieces that have worked well for him are now back on; much respected.

7/2

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Destroytheevidence

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Beat Haiti Couleurs on his chase debut last season and mostly ran well afterwards; seems back in fair form, as he went close at Ludlow and ran a lot better than a 21l defeat may suggest when visored for the first time at Wincanton (3m2f); that was his first time on heavy ground and it looked a factor in him getting so tired late on; one to consider.

12/1

3rd

3

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:37 Wincanton

Destroytheevidence

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Beat Haiti Couleurs on his chase debut last season when Isaac Des Obeaux was further back and mostly ran well afterwards; probably needed his first race of the season and he stuck to his task to go down by only a length at Ludlow (3m, good to soft); gives the impression he'll stay all day and a visor could work (replacing cheekpieces; looked lazy at times on that final run).

3/1

Form: 1222-1

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
All runs under rules have been on soft or heavy; one win and four seconds when he completed last term as a novice hurdler; got up on the run-in under 7lb claimer when sent over fences for handicap/seasonal debut at Newton Abbot (2m5f; 3lb higher today) in October and this longer trip may well help with further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Livin On Luco

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Failed to fire in the Eider at Newcastle on penultimate start; commendable otherwise this season, making all in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft), fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m7f, good to soft) and short-headed at Exeter (3m7f, good) five weeks ago; raised another 2lb but has place claims.

12/1

2nd

4

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Livin On Luco

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made all in Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft) on seasonal debut in November and was commendable fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) just after Christmas; didn't fire in last month's Eider at Newcastle but still features prominently in calculations; placed the only time he raced on good ground.

11/4

6th

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Livin On Luco

10st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made all under Callum Pritchard in the Southern National at Fontwell (extended 3m3f, good to soft) on reappearance in November, clear from four out and holding on by a neck from a strong finisher; came from mid-division when creditable fourth in the Welsh National at Chepstow (extended 3m6f) and having a crack at 4m+ now makes appeal; one to consider.

7/2

Form: 1U1P/4 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Pulled-up favourite for 3m Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2022; had a leg injury that autumn and not seen again until three weeks ago when tiring against smart opposition in 2m5f graduation chase at Haydock; that chase debut had some jumping blemishes but was encouraging overall and this giant is a fascinating candidate for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Hillcrest

10st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

The huge promise he showed as a novice hurdler is a fading memory but he responded well to first-time visor when runner-up under positive ride at Uttoxeter (3m2f, soft) six weeks ago and has obvious claims if in the right mood again here.

3/1

2nd

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 2f 13y

Class 4

15:41 Uttoxeter

Hillcrest

12st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

The huge promise he showed as a novice hurdle is a fading memory and he's found it difficult to get a foothold over fences following a long absence; never going before pulled up at Cheltenham and now tries a visor.

14/1

Form: 13P3-5

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Rallying third here in a 2m4f Grade 2 novice hurdle in January and a close, front-running third in 3m handicap at Taunton (soft) on final hurdles start; weak 9-2 shot when well beaten behind Destroytheevidence on chase/seasonal debut at Chepstow (all three wins there) two months ago; that was a satisfactory effort and he could strip a good deal fitter this time but major overall improvement is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Isaac Des Obeaux

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Made a bad mistake on penultimate outing but he won starts either side and latest was the 4m2f Midlands National at Uttoxeter (soft) in which he was always prominent and asserted by 8l on run-in, with Git Maker in third; up 7lb but his only attempt at a marathon trip brought a clear career best.

9/1

1st

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Isaac Des Obeaux

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Beat none other than Haiti Couleurs over hurdles; their respective careers have headed in very different directions and this 8yo is only 1-7 over fences, the win coming in a small field at Exeter two runs back (3m, heavy); since then he lost his position after a bad mistake at Wincanton (3m2f); may yet have more to offer over an extreme distance such as this but he certainly needs it.

11/1

Form: P1-632 D BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Ridden prominently to win twice over 3m1f at Huntingdon last term as a hurdler; sent chasing this season when 12l third behind two of these at Chepstow and good second at Exeter (despite a bad mid-race mistake) four weeks later; needs extra in this hot race and connections turn to cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Beachcomber

10st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Last win came in 3m Kempton handicap in Christmas of 2024; third to Bill Baxter in this race last year but not at best this season, chasing home a clear winner at Ludlow last time (only two finishers); 7lb lower than last year so don't rule out.

14/1

2nd

6

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Beachcomber

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Appeared to get his campaign back on track when third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) and, when a 10l fifth over C&D since, he was softened up by getting competitive a good way out; he doesn't have a convincing profile but his pure ability is respected.

7/1

5th

1

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Beachcomber

12st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form over fences this season but turned things around with creditable third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m good to soft) last month and it will be interesting to see whether he can build on that performance on this return to chasing.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.60
Straight Forecast £27.68
Tricast £48.43
Trifecta £65.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Peaky Boy

RP RATINGS:

Haiti Couleurs

POSTDATA:

Destroytheevidence

TOPSPEED:

Livin On Luco

The Sun:

Transmission

Telegraph:

Destroytheevidence

LAMBOURN:

Peaky Boy

The Times:

Peaky Boy

Daily Mail:

Peaky Boy

D Express:

Peaky Boy

The Star:

Peaky Boy

Daily Mirror:

Haiti Couleurs

Daily Record:

Haiti Couleurs