January 04 / 13.33 Wincanton

13.33

Soft

Read Nico De Boinvilles Unibet Blog Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £13202.5
  • 3m 1f 30y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
RTV
View Course
Read Nico De Boinvilles Unibet Blog Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Snow

OUR TIP

Form: 312-01

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Last campaign over hurdles went well until he struggled in a big-field handicap at the Punchestown festival; stepped up to 2m7f for his chase debut at Taunton (good to soft) and did it comfortably from the front; 6lb higher and David Maxwell has since lost his 3lb claim, but this 7yo can probably progress further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

In DOr

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

3m6f for the NH Chase at Cheltenham last March was his only attempt beyond 3m and he was below form; that was also his last run for Venetia Williams (bought for £220,000 in October at the David Maxwell dispersal) and he's been a good third this winter in 3m handicaps here and at Ascot; needs to build on that, as he's edging up the weights, but he's not fully exposed.

5/1

3rd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

In DOr

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bought for £220,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal prior to running well, only 2l behind Welcom To Cartries, at Sandown (3m, good to soft) on debut for new connections; this second-season chaser likely has further progress in him; sole attempt at Ascot resulted in a success in this race 12 months ago (good ground); big player back here.

4/1

6th

7

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

In DOr

11st 3lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Venetia Williams

Ridden by his owner; major progress when switched to chasing this winter for small-field handicap wins over 3m at Taunton (good to soft) and Ascot (good); found his revised mark at Sandown (3m, heavy) a bit too much in hat-trick bid but again ran well and staying beyond 3m may be possible.

33/1

Form: 1PP1-3 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
None too consistent since sent chasing but he won twice last season (3m1f/3m2f, heavy/good to soft) and ran as though the race would bring him on at Haydock in late November (3m1f, soft); only 3lb above last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Take Your Time

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Triple hurdle winner who is 3-9 over fences but he's been pulled up in last three runs and latest was over C&D (heavy) two weeks ago; that was after a lengthy absence but he's now an 11yo and he needs a big turnaround.

12/1

3

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:33 Wincanton

Take Your Time

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Record of 3-8 as a chaser but confined to just three races last season and wasn't anywhere near his best (including when pulled up behind Collectors Item); now an 11yo so perhaps asking a bit much for him to rediscover his peak form; has won on heavy.

5/1

2

21st Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

15:40 Ffos Las

Take Your Time

11st 5lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

3-7 over fences; ran well when third (albeit well held in the end) in valuable Haydock handicap (3m1f, soft) on seasonal debut in November but was pulled up when last in action and the forecast good ground may not be ideal for him here.

6/1

Form: 222-16

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
One win and four seconds when he completed last season as a novice hurdler; reeled in an idling leader to make a winning start over fences at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) and it was his first run away from soft or heavy ground when tailed off over 3m1f at Cheltenham (good to soft); this race looks a better fit and can be given another chance on the stamina front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Livin On Luco

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Failed to fire in the Eider at Newcastle on penultimate start; commendable otherwise this season, making all in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft), fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m7f, good to soft) and short-headed at Exeter (3m7f, good) five weeks ago; raised another 2lb but has place claims.

12/1

2nd

4

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Livin On Luco

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made all in Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft) on seasonal debut in November and was commendable fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) just after Christmas; didn't fire in last month's Eider at Newcastle but still features prominently in calculations; placed the only time he raced on good ground.

11/4

6th

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Livin On Luco

10st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made all under Callum Pritchard in the Southern National at Fontwell (extended 3m3f, good to soft) on reappearance in November, clear from four out and holding on by a neck from a strong finisher; came from mid-division when creditable fourth in the Welsh National at Chepstow (extended 3m6f) and having a crack at 4m+ now makes appeal; one to consider.

7/2

Form: 32833P

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Best form has been on goodish ground, including a keeping-on third over 3m1f at Cheltenham in November; beaten about 10l into third over 2m4f here next time before running no race at Fakenham; wouldn't be the percentage play and conditions will be softer than he'd prefer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Planned Paradise

11st 6lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Bounced back to form and won soft-ground marathons at Banger (3m5f) and Hexham (4m) in February/March; pulled up (lame) in early stages at Plumpton last time but has made the frame in the last two editions of this race (both on good ground) and can make his presence felt again.

7/1

8

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Planned Paradise

10st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Exploited a reduced mark to win at Bangor (3m5f, soft) in February and again had plenty in hand at Hexham (4m, soft) 12 days ago; this is a hotter race than last time and this 10yo is up 10lb, but he's clearly in rude health and could be bang there once more; handles any ground.

7/1

1st

6

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Planned Paradise

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Christian Williams

Exploited a reduced mark to win readily at Bangor (extended 3m5f, soft) four weeks ago; on last season's evidence a 9lb rise is unlikely to stop him if he can back up that latest performance; high on the list.

3/1

Verdict

He’s up 6lb and David Maxwell has lost his claim, but there’s still every chance that IN D’OR can follow up his Taunton win. Take Your Time isn’t entirely predictable but he’s capable all the same and his comeback effort was encouraging. Livin On Luco can be given another chance on the stamina front and he’s certainly in the mix.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Take Your Time

SPOTLIGHT:

In d'Or

WEST COUNTRY:

Livin On Luco

RP RATINGS:

Planned Paradise

The Times:

Livin On Luco

D Express:

Livin On Luco

Daily Mirror:

In d'Or

The Sun:

In d'Or

Daily Record:

In d'Or

POSTDATA:

Planned Paradise

Telegraph:

Take Your Time

The Guardian:

Take Your Time

Daily Mail:

Take Your Time

The Star:

Take Your Time