December 26 / 12.45 Kempton

12.45

Good

Ladbrokes Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13202.5
  • 2m 4f 110y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
ITV
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Ladbrokes Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 154-F1

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Both chase starts over 2m3f at Chepstow, falling on first occasion (crumpled on landing) then making all for a 6l success latest (good to soft); raised 8lb but Dylan Johnston takes off a handy 3lb; major contender, with further progress plausible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Range

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Sam Thomas

Acts on any ground; had very little to spare at Sandown (2m4f) most recently but the runner-up has franked the form since; still competitively treated back up 2lb, assuming he takes to first-time headgear.

8/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Range

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.

7/2

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Range

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 10-313 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 313 since switched to chasing, the win in a two-finisher event at Carlisle (2m4f, good; main market rival fell); ran well returned to a stronger field at Newbury (2m) most recently, staying on; warrants respect back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Asta La Pasta

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Dual chase winner last season (2m4f/2m), both times by wide margins in small fields; suited by good ground but ran poorly when last in action and still needs to prove he can cope with this career-high mark.

5/1

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Asta La Pasta

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Dual chase winner last season (2m4f/2m), both times by wide margins in small fields; suited by good ground but ran poorly when last in action and still needs to prove he can cope with this career-high mark.

5/1

9th

7

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Asta La Pasta

10st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, towards rear

7/2

Form: 30-454 C

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on best hurdles figures but looks far from solid on this season's form, including two chase attempts (0-3 overall in this sphere); had wind surgery (his fifth) since last run; something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: P6P-11 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of P11 since switched to chasing, the wins over 2m4f on good ground at Huntingdon and Sandown; jumped right at the final fence both times; up another 6lb but further improvement is not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

17:10 Market Rasen

El Rio

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

3-6 over fences, the latest win gained at Kempton (2m4f, soft; made all) in February; needs to return from seven-month break in prime form to have any chance off current mark but the forecast good ground won't be a problem.

4/1

Form: 13/1/2 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo who ran promisingly, behind a useful rival, in beginners' chase here (2m2f, good to soft) last month on debut for new yard and return from long absence; interesting off his opening mark, assuming he builds on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Leave Of Absence

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Good third to Lookaway in the bumper on this card four years ago; spoiled his chance with a couple of mistakes in the Cheltenham Festival handicap won by Grand National contender Johnnywho; however, he split that rival and Deep Cave for useful effort at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December and may resume his progress when jumping errors are avoided.

11/1

5th

6

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Leave Of Absence

11st 3lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Second-season chaser who is enjoying another progressive campaign, winning a novice here (3m1f, good) in October and beaten a head in a handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December; not disgraced in Grade 2 at Newbury (2m7f, heavy) last time; not ruled out each-way now back in a handicap.

16/1

3rd

4

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

14:10 Newbury

Leave Of Absence

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Lightly raced for his age and best form when pipped in a Grade 3 handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) on latest start; however, reportedly unsuited by the soft ground (his first race on it) when pulled up in a Listed novice chase at Cheltenham the time before and he has plenty to find against two of today's rivals on the ratings.

14/1

Form: 2338-1 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Creditable third (off 3lb lower) in this race last year and went two places better in C&D event (good to soft) last month to open his chase account; rising ten but has some strong form and looks a solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Es Perfecto

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Has more to prove than the other 11yos in this field, with form this season suggesting that age may be catching up with him and virtually all of his chase outings at 2m4f; it remains to be seen whether this longer trip sparks a resurgence.

10/1

6th

7

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Es Perfecto

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Has some strong handicap form to his name and this isn't quite so demanding as Cheltenham's feature 2m4f early-season handicaps; he is now 11 and the handicapper hasn't been overly generous is dropping him just 3lb for those heavy defeats, but unwise to put a line through him.

25/1

5th

18

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Es Perfecto

10st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

in touch with leaders

33/1

Form: 1P0-P2

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Eventually lost his form over hurdles but staged a revival switched to fences at Exeter (2m1f) most recently, running well behind a progressive rival; possibilities off same mark, provided he builds on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Fire Flyer

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Eventually lost his form over hurdles last season, and following a revival over fences at Exeter (2m1f) in December, he was pulled up (bled) at Kempton on Boxing Day; something to prove.

7/1

Form: -21864 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Successful 2m hurdler who is on his last winning mark; however, needs to improve on his two chase efforts and doesn't appear to be crying out for this new trip; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

Tapley

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Suzy Smith

2-10 over fences, the latter win gained over C&D (good) in March; didn't run badly when third of four at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last month and seems likely to be on the premises again.

2/1

3rd

2

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:52 Newton Abbot

Tapley

11st 6lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Suzy Smith

Consistent 9yo who recorded his second win of the campaign at Stratford (extended 2m6f, good) last time, continuing a productive partnership with Isabelle Ryder; this drop back in trip shouldn't inconvenience and, despite a 3lb higher mark, he looks set to give another good account.

3/1

1st

4

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Tapley

11st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Suzy Smith

Consistent sort who posted a solid third of six in 2m2f handicap at Kempton two weeks ago; eased 2lb here, so needs considering in his bid for a second success of the season.

3/1

Form: 2614-5

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who was bought for £250,000 after his Irish point success and is a hurdles winner under rules; should still make a chaser and is interesting with Cheltenham reappearance (possibly needed the run) under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Leader In The Park

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Ben Pauling

Hasn't raced over 3m since winning his Irish point; probably a career best when second over 2m6f at Newbury on reappearance (good to soft) but couldn't live with Lookaway when both got competiitve a good way out over 2m4f here last month; regular partner Ben Jones prefers Henry's Friend but Harry Cobden's style could suit this 8yo.

12/1

6th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Leader In The Park

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made all at Kempton (2m4f, good) in December on second chase start and followed up at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft); only third of five at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) since but that was still a fair run and this unexposed 7yo remains of interest, especially with the Warwick form reading well.

6/1

6th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Leader In The Park

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Made all at Kempton (2m4f, good) in December on second chase start and followed up at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft); only third of five at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) since but that was still a fair run and this unexposed 7yo remains of interest, especially with the Warwick form reading well.

6/1

Betting Forcast

4/1 Range, 7/2 Asta La Pasta, 10/1 First Street, 7/1 El Rio, 9/1 Leave Of Absence, 13/2 Es Perfecto, 9/2 Fire Flyer, 33/1 Tapley, 7/1 Leader In The Park

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Leader In The Park

Telegraph:

El Rio

TOPSPEED:

Asta La Pasta

RP RATINGS:

Fire Flyer

The Times:

Leave Of Absence

POSTDATA:

Es Perfecto

LAMBOURN:

First Street

The Sun:

Asta La Pasta

Daily Mail:

Leader In The Park

The Star:

Leader In The Park

WEST COUNTRY:

Fire Flyer

Daily Mirror:

El Rio

Daily Record:

El Rio

The Guardian:

Leave Of Absence

D Express:

Es Perfecto