13:28 Wincanton

Monday 26 December 2022

All12:1812:5313:2814:0314:3815:1315:45

Lord Stalbridge 'Festive Challenger' Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:29 | Winning time: 6m 42.05s

Step Back^p²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 12-2| J: Miss L Bradstock⁽⁷⁾| T: M Bradstock| OR: 127| C

9/1

Former Bet365 Gold Cup winner who made solid return when second of 6 in Sandown handicap (24.2f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Just 1 lb higher now and is not out of things.

Form: 6/73P4-2

Sizable Sam^p⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: David Noonan| T: J Scott| OR: 127| C

5/2

Three-time winning hurdler at this course who posted much his best effort over fences when second of 11 in handicap at Exeter (24.2f, good to soft, 9/2) 52 days ago. 3 lb higher now but may do better yet.

Form: P3126-2

Bbold^p⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr George Hiscock⁽⁷⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 125

33/1

Scored at Southwell (25.8f) in May and backed that up with solid placed efforts at Worcester and Warwick. Below par at Sedgefield latest, though, and wouldn't want too much rain on. Makes first start for Syd Hosie.

Form: 15-1435

Golden Sovereign⁶⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125| CD

11/1

Dual winning hurdler who opened account over fences when taking 6-runner handicap over C&D (heavy) in February 2021. Not seen since but remains with potential as a chaser.

Form: 711P31/

Milan Bridge^p1,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 123| BF

7/1

Reached a fairly useful level in landing 3 of his 5 starts over hurdles and walked over on intended chase debut at Ascot last month. Disappointed at Sandown latest but it's still early days in this sphere. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 411-214

Minella Buster³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120

4/1

Irish point/hurdles winner who has taken a big step forward over fences, making a winning chase bow at Kempton before excellent placed efforts at Exeter and Taunton. Remains low mileage and must be taken seriously.

Form: 134-132

Planned Paradise^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 119

7/1

Ran right up to best when second of 11 in handicap chase at Sandown (28.8f, good to soft) 23 days ago, albeit flattered by proximity to winner. Races off same mark here and ought to give another good account.

Form: 412362

Putdecashonthedash^b,t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 114| CD

20/1

Has scored in each of the last 3 seasons and likely needed the run when pulled up here earlier this month. Percentage call is to look elsewhere nonetheless.

Form: 13/P51-P

Alminar²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 114| CD

25/1

Back to best, on return from 16 months off, when making a winning yard debut at Ffos Las (23.8f) last month but isn't the most consistent and failed to back that up at Exeter 24 days ago.

Form: 1F/63-17

Premiumaccess^b,t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 114

9/1

Posted best effort for some time when second of 11 in handicap chase at Fontwell (27.7f, good, 9/1) 43 days ago. Remains on a workable mark and could make presence felt.

Form: 343-422

No Hubs No Hoobs^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁷⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 98

16/1

Not the most consistent and failed to back up last month's solid Lingfield return at this course 25 days ago, struggling badly from end of back straight.

Form: 4685-2P

Non-Runners

High Stakes³⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: W Greatrex J: Non Runner

Great D'Ange²²

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: T R George J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Sizable Sam (5/2), Minella Buster (4/1), Planned Paradise (7/1), Milan Bridge (7/1), Great D'Ange (8/1), Step Back (9/1), Premiumaccess (9/1), Golden Sovereign (11/1), High Stakes (14/1), No Hubs No Hoobs (16/1), Putdecashonthedash (20/1), Alminar (25/1), Bbold (33/1)

Preference is for SIZABLE SAM, who goes well at this venue and left his previous efforts in this sphere well behind when runner-up at Exeter last month. Planned Paradise and Minella Buster head the list of dangers.