December 18 / 13.15 Newbury

13.15

Good To Soft

JM Finn Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 7f 86y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
SKY
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JM Finn Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1442-2

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won three successive handicap hurdles last winter (2m3f-2m5f) and better still when runner-up over 3m/2m7f on latest two outings; latest was his chase/seasonal debut in five-runner novice handicap at Taunton, which should set him up nicely for another good run today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Herakles Westwood

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Second-season chaser who took his form to new levels over about 3m1f-3m2f at Cheltenham initially this season but, after wind surgery, faded badly from three out when 10-1 for the Kim Muir there last month; needs to bounce back with another career best and he has more to prove on this third attempt at a marathon trip.

20/1

13th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Herakles Westwood

11st 6lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Warren Greatrex

Second-season chaser who has run well here on his last three starts, finishing second of 16 under Finian Maguire (3m1f, heavy) then fourth over this C&D (good to soft; lost a shoe) before winning here (3m1f, good) on New Year's Day; has had wind surgery since and he's a solid contender.

9/1

5th

13

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Herakles Westwood

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

in touch with leaders, dropped to midfield 9th

16/1

50/1

  • Place: £6.00

Form: 1/52/0

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Absent 699 days before last month's last of ten on chase debut here; 66-1 in that 2m race, whereas he's shown he stays 2m4f, but others have less to prove on this first attempt at 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 110y

14:58 Thurles

Moulins Clermont

11st 12lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: T Hogan

Two wins over hurdles in Britain; uneven form in three chase starts, best display when second in a small-field Newbury handicap; off for over a year; good claimer booked for his Irish debut.

16/1

5th

3

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Kempton

Moulins Clermont

11st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

in touch with leaders, not fluent 4th, bad mistake 4 out

3/1

5th

3

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:20 Kempton

Moulins Clermont

11st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

in touch with leaders, not fluent 4th, bad mistake 4 out

3/1

Form: /2251- D

Last run: 322 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of an Irish point and Exeter bumper (heavy) on first two starts; turned over at 8-13 on his next three outings but got off the mark as a hurdler at fourth attempt, when 11-10 favourite for handicap at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft; rallied very well) in January; absent since and had wind surgery in June; considered on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

1st May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Wrappedupinmay

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: S Curling

Four wins in five races in points, the defeat inflicted by Hunters Yarn at Moig South last autumn; that rival seemed to be getting the upper hand when they both fell three out in the Fairyhouse race won by Five Star Getaway; useful second-string for champion-elect points trainer.

10/1

10

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 180y

17:30 Fairyhouse

Wrappedupinmay

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: S Curling

Wide-margin point winner in 2023; useful hurdler for Paul Nicholls, sold cheaply after two failures over fences; beaten 8l by Hunters Yarn at Moig South on return to pointing; reversed form with the winner at Dromahane and won readily at Carrigarostig in January; intended runner at Cheltenham until withdrawn because of concerns about the ground; valuable 7lb off.

7/4

Form: 1222F- D

Last run: 250 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Had one attempt at chasing, when remote second in November 2022; progressed well in an excellent hurdles campaign last term, going agonisingly close in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, soft); running well when he fell at the last in a Grade 1 novice at Aintree on final start (bled from the nose); hurdles mark is 5lb higher, so good chance if he takes to chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Kyntara

12st 2lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mel Rowley

Useful staying handicap hurdler in his prime; fair run at Cheltenham on first two starts this season but not been at his best on last three starts.

12/1

5th

4

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:13 Warwick

Kyntara

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Big improver during the 2023-24 season but chasing didn't go well last campaign; this one started well back over hurdles but he's been back in the doldrums in his last two races.

10/1

2

7th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

13:35 Newbury

Kyntara

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Highly progressive staying hurdler in the 2023-24 campaign, including on heavy ground, and chasing didn't work out for him last season; ran pretty well over hurdles on first two starts this term but needs to bounce back from a poor show at Haydock three weeks ago; player if he does.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 11P49-

Last run: 243 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden point and his first two hurdle starts; creditable fourth here on handicap debut in March, staying on well, but he flopped on starts either side; could still bring potential now he goes chasing on second season under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Mt Fugi Park

12st 2lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Seemed to be running well in first-time blinkers before falling at Carlisle and he then made all the running under Gina Andrews at Market Rasen (3m, good); up 4lb but the blinkers have made a difference and should remain competitive.

4/1

1st

3

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Mt Fugi Park

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Disappointed on first two starts this season but seemed to be running well in first-time blinkers (retained) before falling at Carlisle (3m, good to soft) last month; remains on same mark as for last spring's good-ground win there and has top amateur Gina Andrews booked here; might be the answer.

7/2

2

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Mt Fugi Park

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Opened his account over fences over C&D last April but has failed to fire this season, a remote sixth in 3m3f Market Rasen handicap in December; needs this switch of headgear to spark a resurgence.

8/1

Form: 1145-3

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Both wins (bumper and novice hurdle) have been at Warwick, where he was a creditable last of three in a beginners' chase six weeks ago; unexposed, in his second handicap and stepping up from 2m4f; can't be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Kintail

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Mel Rowley

Ex-Nicky Henderson; just 1-10 over hurdles and has struggled with consistency but he ran well to finish third at Hereford (3m2f; first-time blinkers) last month; ties in with Dwight K Schrute on that form and has claims if he can back that up.

9/2

3rd

3

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Kintail

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Mel Rowley

Ex-Nicky Henderson inmate who struggles with consistency; disappointing in his two runs for this yard but he's on a good mark should blinkers trigger something (he ran one good race when cheekpieces were tried).

12/1

10

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Kintail

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Proved unable to sustain early progress for previous yard but ran creditably over C&D last spring; dropped away on stable/seasonal debut, perhaps needing the run; check the market signals.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.10
Straight Forecast £29.67
Trifecta £132.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Herakles Westwood

Telegraph:

Kyntara

The Times:

Kintail

Daily Mail:

Mt Fugi Park

WEST COUNTRY:

Wrappedupinmay

D Express:

Kintail

The Star:

Mt Fugi Park

Daily Mirror:

Wrappedupinmay

TOPSPEED:

Herakles Westwood

POSTDATA:

Herakles Westwood

LAMBOURN:

Herakles Westwood

The Guardian:

Kyntara

The Sun:

Kyntara

Daily Record:

Kyntara