December 20 / 15.05 Ascot

15.05

Good

Howden Noel Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £29614
  • 2m 2f 175y
  • Class 1
  • 4 runners
SKY
View Course
Howden Noel Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50

Form: F10P-2 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
He has an impressive strike-rate over hurdles and was a good second in a handicap in that sphere at Plumpton (2m4f, good) last month; versatile ground-wise; thrown into a tough race for his chase debut but his hurdling ability means he's entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 10y

Class 1

14:35 Sandown

Mark Of Gold

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Flat/hurdles winner who bagged Grade 2 honours at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) last time on chase debut; however, has the worst chance on ratings upped further in class and lacks potential, having raced 33 times in total, which is higher mileage than all of these rivals combined.

25/1

3rd

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 10y

Class 1

14:35 Sandown

Mark Of Gold

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Flat/hurdles winner who bagged Grade 2 honours at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) last time on chase debut; however, has the worst chance on ratings upped further in class and lacks potential, having raced 33 times in total, which is higher mileage than all of these rivals combined.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 116-24 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 2 novice hurdle at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) in March and ran creditably last month in first two chases (2m, good/good to soft); having jumped to the right in a Newbury handicap last time he could appreciate going right-handed today, and also the step back up in trip; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 33y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

Personal Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

raced in third, jumped right and not fluent 4th, headway 4 out, jumped left 3 out, soon weakened

7/2

3rd

3

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 33y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

Personal Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

raced in third, jumped right and not fluent 4th, headway 4 out, jumped left 3 out, soon weakened

7/2

5

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 1

13:15 Ffos Las

Personal Ambition

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Form: 484-13

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Point, bumper and novice hurdle winner who impressed on his chase debut at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) in October; failed to build on that when third in Grade 2 novice at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago but this should take less winning and he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

19th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 53y

Class 1

12:10 Windsor

Johnnywho

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

raced in third, hit 3 out, soon outpaced, eased run-in

11/2

2

19th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 53y

Class 1

12:10 Windsor

Johnnywho

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

A very useful novice hurdler last season and won a tactical three-runner novice chase at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance in October; safely held when third in two subsequent Grade 2 novice chases (2m4f/2m3f), though, and will need to raise his game on this return to 3m.

11/2

Form: 10-012

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
4-10 over hurdles (wins on good-soft) and he won on his chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in October before a solid second of four in a handicap over this C&D (good); can give another good account and could be bang there in a first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

20th Dec 2024

Good

2m 2f 175y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Rare Edition

11st 4lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

4-10 over hurdles (wins on good-soft) and he won on his chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in October before a solid second of four in a handicap over this C&D (good); can give another good account and could be bang there in a first-time tongue-tie.

100/30

4th

4

20th Dec 2024

Good

2m 2f 175y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Rare Edition

11st 4lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

4-10 over hurdles (wins on good-soft) and he won on his chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in October before a solid second of four in a handicap over this C&D (good); can give another good account and could be bang there in a first-time tongue-tie.

100/30

2nd

2

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 175y

Class 3

12:55 Ascot

Rare Edition

11st 9lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

in touch with leaders, headway 7th, led 8th, ridden approaching last, headed and no extra final 110yds

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.10
Straight Forecast £17.34
Trifecta £29.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Johnnywho

SPOTLIGHT:

Personal Ambition

D Express:

Rare Edition

The Times:

Mark Of Gold

TOPSPEED:

Personal Ambition

POSTDATA:

Personal Ambition

The Sun:

Rare Edition

The Star:

Rare Edition

WEST COUNTRY:

Johnnywho

Telegraph:

Johnnywho

The Guardian:

Johnnywho

Daily Mirror:

Johnnywho

Daily Record:

Johnnywho

Daily Mail:

Mark Of Gold