12:40 Cheltenham

Saturday 13 December 2025

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Michael Eakins Senior Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 6m 26.64s

The Jukebox Kid⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 131

2/1

This former point scorer was always likely to really come into his own over fences and he impressed when making a successful reappearance in a Carlisle novice handicap chase last month. Reopposing First Confession was 10 lengths back in third. Even a 9 lb rise doesn't look enough to stop him.

Form: 1/13-1

Doughmore Bay²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 128

9/1

Pretty useful hurdler who should strip fitter for last month's return from a long absence at Windsor. Switches to fences on the back of that (every chance when late faller in point at start of career) with Harry Cobden a positive booking.

Form: 27227/3

First Confession¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 128| BF

4/1

Successful on 2 of his 5 starts over hurdles last term and this point winner has shown even better form in defeat switched to handicap chases this season. Was 10 lengths behind reopposing The Jukebox Kid at Carlisle on the first occasion, though.

Form: 171P-33

Hillcrest²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 127| C

25/1

Useful novice hurdler in 2021/22 season but off for 2½ years after and hasn't hit the same heights over fences since. Didn't see his race out on 3m Warwick reappearance and likely vulnerable up against a bunch of much younger rivals.

Form: P/4PU3-3

Holokea¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 118| BF| D

8/1

Point/bumper/maiden hurdle winner who completed the set when seeing off 12 rivals in a 25f Fontwell handicap chase at Ffos Las in October. Good second of 8 at Uttoxeter since. Further progress isn't discounted.

Form: 422-212

Zertakt¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 116| BF

7/1

French hurdle winner. Still a maiden over fences bit boasts some decent handicap form, including second on 3¾m Newcastle reappearance, looking in control in slowing going into the last. There was enough in that performance to think he can win off this sort of mark soon.

Form: 3/3342-2

Risk De Pluie^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 116

15/2

Winning pointer/hurdler who has placed on all 4 chase starts, including second on Lingfield reappearance 25 days ago. Same mark this afternoon.

Form: 54/322-2

As The Fella Says²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 116

7/1

Winning pointer who displayed fairly useful form when runner-up on his first two starts in maiden hurdles last winter. Things didn't go to plan on his final 2 outings but he bounced back with a promising second on 20.5f Southwell chase debut/reappearance. Open to progress.

Form: 1224F-2

Forecasts

The Jukebox Kid (2/1), First Confession (4/1), Zertakt (7/1), As The Fella Says (7/1), Risk De Pluie (15/2), Holokea (8/1), Doughmore Bay (9/1), Hillcrest (25/1)

There was lots to like about THE JUKEBOX KID's chase debut success at Carlisle and he can make light of a 9 lb rise with further progress highly likely. The surge which briefly took Zertakt clear between the last 2 fences on his Newcastle reappearance suggests he's on a good mark and he can give the selection most to think about ahead of Nicky Henderson's Southwell runner-up As The Fella Says.