13:50 Ascot

Saturday 20 December 2025

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

Howden Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 4m 45.61s

Matterhorn^t²⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| D

16/1

Won first 4 starts in handicap chases in summer 2024 and back on the up with a bang in the spring, easily winning 2½m Uttoxeter handicap in May. First run since.

Form: 1P992-1

Bad^b³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 144

5/2

Three chase wins at Kempton since February, including reappearance in October. Bang there for a long way in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2½m, soft) since and bold show likely back over a shorter trip and in a slightly easier race.

Form: 11P5-15

Etalon^p1,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

18/1

Got right back on track when easily winning 2m handicap chase at Perth (soft) in April. Returned with a good second at Fontwell in October but well beaten at Newbury since. First-time cheekpieces (added to tongue tie) need to have a positive effect.

Form: P41-529

Issam^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 136| D

5/1

Made it 2-3 over fences when seeing off 5 rivals on Wetherby reappearance (19f, soft) 35 days ago. This is a deeper race but he appeals as one who could have more to offer in this sphere.

Form: 46312-1

General Medrano²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 136

13/2

Shaped as if as good as ever when fourth on 17f course reappearance in November. Not in the same form when sixth at Newbury 4 weeks later but he's starting to look well handicapped again and Sean Bowen has been booked.

Form: 4280-46

Scarface^b1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 135| C

12/1

Runner-up in this last year and ended last season with a win at Newton Abbot in April. Shaped well when second in Badger Beers at Wincanton (25f) on his return after wind surgery but stopped quickly when pulled up at Newbury since. Blinkers reached for after that.

Form: 4021-2P

Rare Edition²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 132

6/1

Useful hurdler and quickly reached a similar standard over fences last season, scoring at Uttoxeter before good second over this C&D. Reappeared with a creditable second at Kelso in October but could only manage fourth in a deeper race at Newbury since.

Form: 124F-24

Here Comes Georgie^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 129| C

7/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser for Patrick Neville and better than ever at the second time of asking for new trainer Dylan Cunha when second in 19f Doncaster handicap chase 3 weeks ago.

Form: 83-1362

The Famous Five²⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 123| BF

8/1

Won 2m Newbury handicap chase last December. Just as good when runner-up at Chepstow (19.5f) and back at Newbury (2m) on his final 2 outings of last season and no surprise were he to go on to even better things this term.

Form: 731522-

Forecasts

Bad (5/2), Issam (5/1), Rare Edition (6/1), General Medrano (13/2), Here Comes Georgie (7/1), The Famous Five (8/1), Scarface (12/1), Matterhorn (16/1), Etalon (18/1)

With Ben Pauling continuing to knock in the winners BAD looks sure to give it a good shot on the back of his fine run in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham. Issam has taken really well to fences and is second choice ahead of The Famous Five and General Medrano.