December 28 / 14.20 Newbury

14.20

Good To Soft

Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £39022.5
  • 3m 1f 214y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 11P-45 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Won the 2m6f novice handicap on this card last year and completed his hat-trick in an Ascot Grade 2 (3m) in February; rallying fifth of 13 in the Coral Gold Cup over C&D (good to soft) was a solid return to chasing four weeks ago and gives him each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Henrys Friend

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Seems best making the running or racing prominently; his six races in the last 14 months have been a mixed bag, with an Ascot win (3m, good) in November the highlight; just 1lb higher today and ran respectably on penultimate start, but his two earlier attempts at 3m6f/4m did not work out; a tongue-tie (worn twice in 2023, with a win on first occasion) returns.

16/1

9th

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Henrys Friend

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Back to form when 5l behind Deep Cave last time at Ascot (3m, good to soft) but he does look vulnerable to better-treated opposition, for all that he's just 2lb higher than for November's win at Ascot; likely to race on the front end.

14/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Henrys Friend

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Record of 4-9 over fences, his best form when winning by 6l at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft; 5lb higher today); disadvantaged when slowly away (from a standing start) in the Ultima at Cheltenham and yet still made a challenge three out before fading; never got competitive in the Scottish National but he wasn't alone; a stiff 3m around here looks up his street; shortlisted.

15/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 321-13 BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced; won at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) in April off 10lb lower; warmed up this term with a novice hurdle win and ran well when third back at Cheltenham (extended 3m3f, good) six weeks ago, passed by Surrey Quest on the run-in; probably okay on softer than good but needs to raise his game again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

29th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

14:00 Uttoxeter

Hymac

10st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

3m4f winner in April 2024 and, after a break, he followed up in a novice hurdle; continued to run well afterwards in staying chases, latterly behind Manothepeople at Cheltenham; this mark isn't beyond him; respected.

7/1

2nd

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Hymac

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Kept on gamely to win the 3m4f chase on this card a year ago (good ground) and has performed well on all four outings this season, most recently when third to Moroder in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (3m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces); likely contender.

11/4

2nd

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Hymac

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Kept on gamely to win the 3m4f chase on this card a year ago (good ground) and has performed well on all four outings this season, most recently when third to Moroder in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (3m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces); likely contender.

11/4

8/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 1/11P- C

Last run: 315 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Returned from long absence to make all on his handicap/chase debut last November and followed up in a novice handicap at Newbury (2m7f, soft) that December; made mistakes when pulled up in the Grade 2 novice won by Henry's Friend at Ascot, looking as if a right-handed track was against him; off since but very lightly raced for his age and goes well fresh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Brave Kingdom

10st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced 10yo who posted a resurgent effort in small field at Taunton (2m7f) most recently; form at Newbury features a success over 2m7f in 2023 and placed effort in the Mandarin over 3m2f in 2024; respected off an attractive mark switched to a veterans' contest.

5/1

2nd

1

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:45 Taunton

Brave Kingdom

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced 10yo who disappointed on seasonal debut in November (first run after latest of three wind ops) and has now been pulled up on three of his last four appearances; eased in grade today but needs to get career back on track.

100/30

Form: 476/61 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Well held on return from a long absence but narrow winner at Wincanton (3m1f, soft; pair clear) early this month; back up 3lb, which leaves him still well handicapped on his best form (3m4f and 3m2f) two winters ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

19:37 Chepstow

Poppa Poutine

11st 12lb

J: Mr James Murray

T: Miss A Willmott

Hampered when unseating in an open point at neighbouring Howick last month, and generally a safe ride; both handicap chase wins (from 17 starts over fences) have come over Wincanton's 3m1f on ground softer than good, and the drying forecast isn't strictly ideal.

16/1

2

29th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Uttoxeter

Poppa Poutine

12st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

always behind

12/1

4

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Poppa Poutine

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Rated much higher in the past so Newbury last time was disappointing (3m2f, good to soft) after going up just 3lb for winning a small-field handicap at Wincanton (3m1f, soft); getting back on soft ground should help and he'll stay okay.

12/1

Form: /32-21

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on handicap hurdle debut here (3m, good to soft) last December and has continued his progress switched to fences this season, winning tidily at Sandown (3m, soft; tongue tied first time) three weeks ago; up 7lb but this new trip should suit and he looks set for further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

19:30 Newton Abbot

Hoe Joly Smoke

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Ran really well in defeat in some strong Cheltenham handicaps (2m4f-3m1f) during the first half of last season and his Kempton effort in February wasn't too shoddy; what needs forgiving is his Ayr run after a wind operation as that was underwhelming; still looks dangerous.

11/8

6th

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Hoe Joly Smoke

10st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

He hasn't quite been at the top of his game on his last two starts; however, he's had wind surgery since and is certainly of interest on his two third-place finishes at Cheltenham in the autumn (3m1f/2m4f, good/soft); top trainer has won five of the last eight runnings of this race.

7/2

6th

9

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Hoe Joly Smoke

10st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won twice as a novice chaser over 3m at Sandown (soft/good); has been running well in some strong Cheltenham handicaps this season without looking that well handicapped, but returning to a right-handed track might benefit him, as might the first-time cheekpieces; could also have this run to suit if he's held up as usual; effective from 2m4f to 3m1f, he's a big player.

7/1

Form: 6/11P- D

Last run: 342 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
3m2f winner in 2021 and 3m winner at Ascot (good) and Bangor (heavy) late last year; ran badly in January when last seen (not because of the 3m5f) but has a very good record returning from layoffs and his stable has racked up notable chase wins in recent months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 1102-2 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Completed a double when winning this race (soft) last year and ran mighty race when pipped in the Scottish National (4m, soft) in April; looked as good as ever when staying-on second over an extended 3m3f at Cheltenham (good; 14-1, well off the pace three out) six weeks ago but, although he needs plenty of respect, there's a concern that this trip may now be shorter than ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:28 Kempton

Surrey Quest

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

High-class staying chase form includes a close second in the 2024 Scottish National but he fell in that race last year and hasn't shown a glimmer of his old ability over hurdles or fences since; lots to prove.

20/1

3

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Surrey Quest

11st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Very useful marathon chaser on his day but looked out of sorts in three hurdle races towards end of last year; given another wind operation (his third) since; well handicapped but reverts to chasing with lots to prove.

25/1

14th

9

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Surrey Quest

10st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Very useful marathon chaser on his day; didn't run anything like as badly as 61l defeat might suggest when making seasonal debut in recent 2m7f hurdle race at Uttoxeter but needs that outing to have brought him on.

33/1

Form: 124F-P C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won twice here late last year but started hanging badly left subsequently and ran poorly here in February on his final completion; left Jonjo O'Neill and reappeared with a disappointing show here four weeks ago in a race he won last term; may have needed that run but connections also now reach for cheekpieces; should stay and is well handicapped if back to his peak.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Inch House

11st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Has essentially become disappointing since his novice season but he did run well first time back in a strong Cheltenham handicap (3m1f, good) and this is his hunter chase debut; disappointing if he's not involved.

4/1

14

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Inch House

10st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Well handicapped if back to his peak and he does have Cheltenham form; ran no race on his debut for Paul Nicholls but the second run can be excused after he suffered interference; still only an 8yo and a revival is not out of the question by any means.

25/1

5

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

14:20 Newbury

Inch House

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won twice here late last year but started hanging badly left subsequently and ran poorly here in February on his final completion; left Jonjo O'Neill and reappeared with a disappointing show here four weeks ago in a race he won last term; may have needed that run but connections also now reach for cheekpieces; should stay and is well handicapped if back to his peak.

6/1

Form: F37-P1

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
2-12 over fences, the second win delivered at Fontwell (extended 2m3f, soft) 18 days ago under Freddie Mitchell; that was a cleaner round of jumping than usual and going back up 6lb isn't too bad but he has far more to prove over this trip than most of today's rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

Hudson De Grugy

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Brings very strong credentials to this series final, having posted sound performances over C&D (good to soft) in last two starts, comfortably defying top weight latest; 2-6 overall for current yard; respected.

6/1

1st

1

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Hudson De Grugy

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Back in good form for his current yard, landing 3m handicap chase at Wetherby in December and posting a good second of seven over C&D last time; very much one to consider off an unchanged mark.

7/2

Non-runners

Cruz Control

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.30
Straight Forecast £30.86
Tricast £275.42
Trifecta £324.60

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Henry's Friend

SPOTLIGHT:

Hoe Joly Smoke

POSTDATA:

Poppa Poutine

TOPSPEED:

Inch House

Daily Mirror:

Surrey Quest

The Times:

Henry's Friend

Telegraph:

Henry's Friend

The Sun:

Henry's Friend

RP RATINGS:

Hoe Joly Smoke

Daily Mail:

Hoe Joly Smoke

Daily Record:

Hoe Joly Smoke

D Express:

Inch House

The Guardian:

Poppa Poutine

The Star:

Poppa Poutine