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

3rd

1

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Haiti Couleurs

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

towards rear

5/1

3rd

1

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Haiti Couleurs

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

towards rear

5/1

1st

6

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 3

12:40 Cheltenham

Haiti Couleurs

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

jumped well, took keen hold, prominent, switched right and headway 5th, soon pressed leader, disputed lead from 8th, led clearly 12th, mistake 4 out

6/1

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

6th

8

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Transmission

11st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won two 3m1f handicap hurdles at Plumpton (the first on soft) last season and has taken well to chasing over 3m+ at this track this term, arriving late on the scene; has more to give but also a great deal more to find now that he's pitched into a Grade 2 for this return to hurdles.

25/1

6th

8

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Transmission

11st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won two 3m1f handicap hurdles at Plumpton (the first on soft) last season and has taken well to chasing over 3m+ at this track this term, arriving late on the scene; has more to give but also a great deal more to find now that he's pitched into a Grade 2 for this return to hurdles.

25/1

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

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 3

12:40 Cheltenham

Peaky Boy

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

took keen hold, prominent on inner

13/8

3rd

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 3

12:40 Cheltenham

Peaky Boy

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

took keen hold, prominent on inner, went second before 2 out, no impression approaching last, lost second inside final 110yds

13/8

1st

4

17th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 44y

Class 3

13:45 Cheltenham

Peaky Boy

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Point/bumper winner who won here earlier this year on first two hurdle starts (2m4f, heavy/good); top trainer sends this 6yo straight over fences for his handicap debut; has considerable potential off his opening mark.

5/2

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

1st

10

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Moon Dorange

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: John C McConnell

Irish challenger; has form figures of 3342 since switched to chasing, good second behind the market leader at Newbury (2m6f) most recently; finished third here in October in a race that has worked out nicely; this novice runs off a low weight and is partnered for the first time by Sean Bowen, who has a good strike-rate for this yard; interesting.

13/2

1st

10

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Moon Dorange

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: John C McConnell

Irish challenger; has form figures of 3342 since switched to chasing, good second behind the market leader at Newbury (2m6f) most recently; finished third here in October in a race that has worked out nicely; this novice runs off a low weight and is partnered for the first time by Sean Bowen, who has a good strike-rate for this yard; interesting.

13/2

2nd

5

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 3

15:35 Newbury

Moon Dorange

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: John C McConnell

prominent

12/1

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

5th

3

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 3

12:40 Cheltenham

Destroytheevidence

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Kim Bailey

led, not fluent 1st, soon prominent, mistake 14th, outpaced when jumped left 4 out

11/2

5th

3

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 3

12:40 Cheltenham

Destroytheevidence

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Kim Bailey

led, not fluent 1st, soon prominent, mistake 14th, outpaced when jumped left 4 out, pecked on landing 3 out, weakened home turn

11/2

2nd

1

7th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

13:40 Newbury

Destroytheevidence

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

Justified favouritism at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) last month in a novice handicap chase that his stable landed a year earlier with the subsequently smart Chianti Classico; bright prospect who could well defy a 5lb rise.

11/8

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

4

13th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:38 Exeter

Livin On Luco

11st 11lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

One win and four seconds when he completed last season as a novice hurdler; reeled in an idling leader to make a winning start over fences at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) and it was his first run away from soft or heavy ground when tailed off over 3m1f at Cheltenham (good to soft); this race looks a better fit and can be given another chance on the stamina front.

4/1

4

13th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:38 Exeter

Livin On Luco

11st 11lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

One win and four seconds when he completed last season as a novice hurdler; reeled in an idling leader to make a winning start over fences at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) and it was his first run away from soft or heavy ground when tailed off over 3m1f at Cheltenham (good to soft); this race looks a better fit and can be given another chance on the stamina front.

4/1

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

2

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 1

13:15 Ffos Las

Hillcrest

11st 4lb

T: Henry Daly

Successful at this level as a novice hurdler in the 2021-22 campaign; however, has made errors and failed to show his form in two chase starts (2m5f/3m1f) since returning from long absence; enough to prove and, being a 10yo now, time isn't on his side.

16/1

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

3rd

1

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:25 Taunton

Isaac Des Obeaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

ran in snatches, midfield, in touch with leaders when slow jump 4th, switched sharply right to 7th

6/1

3rd

1

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:25 Taunton

Isaac Des Obeaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

ran in snatches, midfield, in touch with leaders when slow jump 4th, switched sharply right to 7th

6/1

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

14

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Kempton

Beachcomber

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Two 3m1f hurdle wins last midwinter but he's not the most predictable and can look an awkward ride; has shown promise over fences this season but he was pulled up at Cheltenham (in first-time cheekpieces; now replaced with blinkers) 13 days ago; no solid option.

14/1

1st

14

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Kempton

Beachcomber

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Two 3m1f hurdle wins last midwinter but he's not the most predictable and can look an awkward ride; has shown promise over fences this season but he was pulled up at Cheltenham (in first-time cheekpieces; now replaced with blinkers) 13 days ago; no solid option.

14/1

7

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 3

12:40 Cheltenham

Beachcomber

10st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

jumped right on occasions, prominent, led after 1st, headed and prominent after 5th, slightly hampered 13th, hampered 4 out, weakened 3 out, soon pulled up

16/1

+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