December 20 / 13.55 Ascot

13.55

Good

Howden Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10905.26
  • 2m 0f 167y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
SKY
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Howden Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00

Form: -P1171 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner (good/good to soft) who showed improved form in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) to win when back over fences at Wetherby (1m7f, good) last month; from out of the handicap he's 9lb higher in this hotter race, but there's every chance he'll continue to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Here Comes Georgie

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Close second at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) in November and bounced back from Ascot blip when third at Carlisle (2m, good to soft) recently, albeit soundly beaten by the first two; the step back up in trip might help and he's a possible player if conditions suit; unproven on soft ground.

9/2

3rd

2

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Carlisle

Here Comes Georgie

11st 13lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Unproven on soft ground and tailed off at Ascot last time, although that was in a hot Class 2; went close in Class 3 at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) two starts ago and not ruled out now back down in grade.

7/1

Form: 21-141 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Point and two-time novice hurdle winner (soft/good) who returned to form to win by 3l on his chase and handicap debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) four weeks ago; this lightly raced 6yo could have plenty more left in the tank and he's respected up 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Ryans Rocket

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Firmly in the picture judged on his handicap win at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November and he drops back in trip today having weakened over 2m4f at Kempton last month; not ruled out but he made mistakes last time and has unseated on two of his last four starts; needs to cut out the blunders.

9/1

6th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Ryans Rocket

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

One of two hurdle wins came on this track; two later chase wins, at Chepstow and Newbury, also came at about 2m (good to soft) but he has a good chance of staying this far and is a better jumper than suggested by two unseats from his last three starts; interesting.

5/2

22

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ryans Rocket

10st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Reserve; second-season chaser who won a shade cosily on reappearance at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November and, although there was still a fair way to go, he was travelling nicely when unseating five out at Kempton (2m, good) in December; there is a firm suspicion he's an improved performer this season and he's one to consider.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 54P-12 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Became disappointing last season but things have clicked again this term, with a handicap win at Carlisle (2m, good to soft) being followed by a Grade 2 second at Cheltenham (2m, good; no match for L'Eau du Sud, who has since won a Grade 1); can make another bold bid now back in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

19

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Western Zephyr

10st 6lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Useful 2m form for Charlie Longsdon in autumn 2024, including on this course, but his season ended badly; off to a good start for new yard when runner-up at Haydock (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained) last month but there's not much common ground between that run and what will be needed today.

40/1

2nd

3

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Western Zephyr

11st 9lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Made a winning return at Carlisle (2m) in October 2024 but his form nosedived later in the season, pulled up in the Topham at Aintree last spring on his final run for Charlie Longsdon; since changed hands for £20,000 and he needs to hit the ground running for his new yard after ten months off.

25/1

Form: 171P-1 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Won two big handicap hurdles last season, namely the Greatwood (2m, soft) and the Betfair (2m, heavy), and he reappeared with a cosy win in a four-runner beginners' chase at Kempton (2m2f, good to soft) last month, when it took a while for his jumping to warm up; strong claims for top yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

17:30 Punchestown

Iberico Lord

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Nicky Henderson

Ground versatile sort is 4-15 over hurdles; back to form in fine style when landing the Lanzarote at Kempton in January (2m5f, good) off 136; hiked up 8lb and came up short in the BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham, though did meet trouble in running; dropped 1lb but may need more help from the handicapper.

14/1

8th

11

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Iberico Lord

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Bagged two big 2m handicaps (here and at Newbury) in the mud during his 2023-24 campaign; had a spell in the wilderness but dropped back down the weights prior to scoring with major authority in the 2m5f Lanzarote at Kempton (good; 22-1) two months ago; back up 8lb but also firmly back on the radar.

9/1

17th

4

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 149y

15:40 Punchestown

Iberico Lord

11st 5lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.60
Straight Forecast £31.12
Trifecta £58.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Iberico Lord

RP RATINGS:

Ryan's Rocket

TOPSPEED:

Western Zephyr

POSTDATA:

Iberico Lord

LAMBOURN:

Iberico Lord

The Times:

Iberico Lord

Telegraph:

Iberico Lord

The Guardian:

Iberico Lord

D Express:

Iberico Lord

The Sun:

Iberico Lord

The Star:

Iberico Lord

Daily Record:

Iberico Lord

WEST COUNTRY:

Ryan's Rocket

Daily Mail:

Ryan's Rocket

Daily Mirror:

Ryan's Rocket