Days since the horse last run

Samuel Spade was a wide-margin winner at Leicester, before running a sound race behind Comfort Zone in Chepstow’s Finale. Rated 125, he sets a good standard, although given how well he appears to stay, there is a slight concern about this sharper track on (likely) livelier ground.

Despereaux was a course-anddistance winner on his second start (ran out when holding every chance on debut at Ffos Las) and represents Jane Williams, who has her horses in red-hot form at present. She has three runners on the card and has saddled five winners from 12 runners since the turn of the year, with her 2023 form figures reading 1122126F1271. And, Samuel Spade and Chaos Control renew rivalry, having finished first and second at Kempton over Christmas. As that was a Class 2 contest, the winner has to shoulder a hefty (8lbs) penalty and isn’t, therefore, sure to confirm the form. This looks to be a really competitive seven-runner race and it isn’t inconceivable to think that a couple of these runners could be lining up in the Boodles at Cheltenham come March.

Samuel Spade is one of four runners on the card for Ben Pauling, who is another trainer who has his string in fine form. Three-time hurdles winner The Cob represents Pauling in the five-runner Weatherbys Hamilton Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase and he might be capable of defying top-weight. A Grade 2 winner as a novice hurdler, the nine-year-old relishes soft ground and made a successful start to his chasing career at Uttoxeter a month ago. Despite jumping to his right (configuration of this course should, therefore, suit), he made all to beat Cobblers Dream, who won last year’s Lanzarote and finished runner-up in the Martin Pipe. More is required from a 7lbs higher mark, but he might be up to the task under Kielan Woods.

The meeting concludes with the Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Chase – a 0-105 contest over an extended 2m7f – and the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide ‘Newcomers’ National Hunt Flat Race.

Several leading stables are represented in the bumper, with some noteworthy pedigrees on show. Jonjo O’Neill’s Ilestdancingspirit is a Coastal Path halfbrother to bumper winners Festival d’Ex and Good Luck Charm, whilst Dan Skelton’s Lone Soldier is a Soldier Of Fortune half-brother to Tedham, himself a smart performer (reached 131 at his peak) for Jonjo O’Neill. Kim Bailey won the bumper at Exeter on Tuesday and saddles Destroytheevidence, who is a half-brother to Arizona Cardinal (won a novices’ handicap chase in October), useful mare Lilly Pedlar and bumper winner Spike Jones.

And, Newmarket-based Flat trainer Rae Guest runs the filly Fashionelle, who is Aidan Coleman’s only ride of the day. Guest saddled the filly Kutaiba to win a junior bumper at this track in early-November and this daughter of Champs Elysees is a half-sister to a hurdles winner, so ought to stay the trip. Guest has actually only had two National Hunt runners so far this season, with the other finishing fourth in the bumper at Doncaster on Tuesday. Being Flat-bred, she probably wouldn’t want too much rain, but receives both the sex and age allowances so carries just 10-2.

Paul Ferguson