14:05 Taunton

Thursday 11 December 2025

All12:3513:0513:3514:0514:3515:0515:35

Prestige Holidays Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:07 | Winning time: 6m 3.41s

Kap Vert²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 119

4/1

Beat a useful one when successful on second hurdle start at Exeter last season. Positive start to present campaign when a clear second in 19f Fontwell handicap and, though not so good at Cheltenham next time, this stiffer test promises to suit now switched to fences. One to consider.

Form: 3367-27

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Below The Radar³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 118

7/2

Winner of first 3 starts under Rules and, though disappointing initially in handicaps, he ended last season with a near-miss at Ayr and kicked off this campaign with a creditable third at Kempton (21f, good to soft). Runner-up both starts in points and appeals as the type to make a better chaser.

Form: 44742-3

Smugglers Haven⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss L Bradstock⁽⁷⁾| T: S Bradstock| OR: 117

4/1

Progressive three-time winner over hurdles and hasn't done much wrong since sent chasing, opening her account in this sphere with a game display in a big-field Cheltenham handicap (25f, good) last time. Raised just 2 lb for that and another bold show on the cards.

Form: 21-2221

Lahinch Wave^p1¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 110

18/1

Winning start under Rules in Worcester mares' maiden hurdle last September and chase debut fourth at the same course 3 starts back was pretty encouraging. However, she has failed to build on that since and now tried in cheekpieces. Yard also saddles Of Course You Can.

Form: 425464

Of Course You Can^p,t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 104

50/1

Bounced back to best to win 7-runner handicap hurdle (for second year running) at Ludlow (21.2f, good to firm) in October. However, added to what has essentially become a patchy profile when well held at Hereford next time and she's opposable now switched to fences.

Form: 0-30916

The Magus³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: James Bowen| T: Evan Williams| OR: 102

5/2

Low-mileage 5-y-o made a winning handicap hurdle debut at Chepstow last season. Looked rusty over the same C&D on return in October and subsequent chase debut over 21f at Hereford was not deviod of encouragement, again shaping as though this sort of trip will be right up his street.

Form: 5421-03

Bertie Wooster^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 100| C

5/1

Winner of just one of his 13 hurdles start and record in this sphere stands at 0-8. On the upside, he gave it a good shot in the first-time tongue strap (retained) when narrowly outpointed over this C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago and a reproduction of that would give him a fighting chance.

Form: 33P-372

Non-Runners

Moonlit Potter²⁷

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: Dr R Newland J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Magus (5/2), Below The Radar (7/2), Kap Vert (4/1), Smugglers Haven (4/1), Bertie Wooster (5/1), Moonlit Potter (10/1), Lahinch Wave (18/1), Of Course You Can (50/1)

Given his connections, hopes can be high that BELOW THE RADAR will step up on what he showed over hurdles now tackling the larger obstacles. The 7-y-o is taken to make a winning start in this sphere off what could turn out to be a very fair mark. Smugglers Haven won't go down without a fight judged on the battling qualities she showed at Cheltenham, while Bertie Wooster's recent C&D close-call entitles him to considerable respect, too. Kap Vert will also be a threat if he takes to fences.