Horse’s age

THE VIRGIN BET FREE BETS FOR WINNERS NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) (GBB RACE)

for novice five yrs old and upwards ™ Total race value £21400

Owners Prize Money. 1st £8346, 2nd £4174, 3rd £2086, 4th £1044, 5th £280, 6th £280. (Penalty Value £10892) FORM ANALYSIS - A CLOSER LOOK | FACTS | FANCIES | FORM | STATS |

Leading course trainer (17-22): P Nicholls (55 wins from 258 runners, 21%) runs SIROCO JO

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): D Skelton (8 wins from 44 runners, 18%) runs ROCKSTAR RONNIE

Longest Traveller: CADDYHILL trained by J Candlish, Leek, 184 miles.

J Jockey T Trainer O Owner B Breeder S Sponsor Br Breeding

colours no horse age st-lb

1 SEBASTOPOL (IRE) (83) 2222FP D

Br B g Fame And Glory - Knockcroghery (IRE) O Mr C. Boultbee-Brooks

8 11-12

Stan Sheppard J Tom Lacey, Woolhope T B Mr J. Nicholson Boultbee Brooks Real Estate Limited, Plusbac S TIMEFORM VIEW Useful hurdler who reached similar level second time over fences when second to Third Time Lucki in Cheltenham Grade 2. Set to win when falling here next time and trip more suitable than latest. TFRHHHII BHA136 2 ROCKSTAR RONNIE (IRE) (117) 120-411 C D 7 11-8

Br B g Stowaway - Dimona (IRE)

Bridget Andrews J O Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - Rockstar Dan Skelton, Alcester T B Ronnie O’Neill Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Ltd S TIMEFORM VIEW Low-mileage hurdler who defied 5lb lower mark over fences here (18f) in November. Fortunate to follow up in novice company since but he’s a live player nevertheless. TFRHHHHI BHA132 3 GOLDEN BOY GREY (FR) (23) 10-2121 D 6 11-7

Br Ch g Diamond Boy (FR) - Betwixt (IRE) Jamie Moore J

O Mrs Ruth Arnold Gary Moore, Horsham T

B S.A.R.L. MM Stud TIMEFORM VIEW Second small-field handicap success at Huntingdon 3 weeks ago, readily seeing off Caddyhill. 5lb rise shouldn’t prevent another bold bid. TFRHHHHI BHA131 4 CADDYHILL (IRE) (23) 041352 D

Br B g Arcadio (GER) - Ring Hill O John Marriott

7 10-12

A. P. Heskin J Jennie Candlish, Leek T B Arctic Tack & Norrismount Studs Torvic Magnets, Pra World Ltd S TIMEFORM VIEW Perfect start over fences when successful at Sedgefield (17f) in September. Back from a brace of lesser efforts when second of 3 to Golden Boy Grey at Huntingdon. TFRHHHII BHA122 5 SIROCO JO (FR) (44) P10-142 D BF

Br Ch g Hurricane Cat (USA) - Diana Vertica (FR) O Mr P. J. Vogt

5 10-8

Harry Cobden J Paul Nicholls, Ditcheat T B Mr Jacques Seror & Mr Philippe Metivier Morson Group S TIMEFORM VIEW Useful-looking gelding who doubled his hurdles tally with a bit in hand at Newbury in November. Took very well to fences when second at Wincanton and is sure to improve. TFRHHHHH BHA118 6 STORM RISING (IRE) (11) 224PP6 D

Br B g Canford Cliffs (IRE) - Before The Storm O Mr R. C. Harper

9 10-3

Danny Burton (5) J Richard Harper, Kings Sutton T

B Barouche Stud (Ire) Ltd TIMEFORM VIEW Fairly useful hurdler at his best who resumed winning ways in a Fakenham claimer (2m) in May. Disappointing over fences since and has a lot to prove from out of the weights. TFRHHIII BHA105

DECLARED RUNNERS 6 2021: ONTHEFRONTFOOT (IRE) 7 10 12 Jonathan Burke 6-1 (Donald McCain) 7 ran

Visor worn first time by No. 1. Tongue Strap worn by No. 1. Stewards Note: SEBASTOPOL: Following its run on 26/12/2021 it was reported that the horse stopped quickly. Probable S.P’s: 9-4 Rockstar Ronnie (IRE), 10-3 Golden Boy Grey (FR), 7-2 Siroco Jo (FR), 13-2 Caddyhill (IRE), 7-1 Sebastopol (IRE), 33-1 Storm Rising (IRE)

SIROCO JO promises to do much better as a chaser judged on a promising start at Wincanton and he could be the answer to what is a tricky puzzle. Rockstar Ronnie chases a hat-trick and is second choice, ahead of Golden Boy Grey.