13:50 Warwick 07 Feb 2026
Bet Smarter With Oddschecker Kingmaker Novices' Chase
Grade 2 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner £42,712 - 3 declared to run
Heavy-soft in places (prec inspection 7.30am)
Draw Advantage: None
Forecast: Light rain
Temperature: 6.2° - 10.8°
Rainfall: 2.80mm
Wind: 10.9 mph SE
Last Update: 06/02/2026 17:00x
Bookies best price percentage = 103.47%
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
Travelled well and jumped boldly when winning the Noel Novices' Chase (Grade 2) at Ascot by 9l last time, doing it cosily. That form has been franked at the same level. Enjoys making it, is effective at 2m, comes here off a short break and looks a classy chaser so can defy penalty.
He has won two hurdle races and two chases from 1m 7f to 2m 3f on good to soft and soft ground. A winner at 11-4 in a Grade 2 chase in the Group 2 Howden Noel Novices' Chase at Ascot over 2m 3f (soft) on his latest outing in December last year, beating Push The Button by 9l. Has also won at Carlisle this season.
Travelled well and jumped boldly when winning the Noel Novices' Chase (Grade 2) at Ascot by 9l last time, doing it cosily. That form has been franked at the same level. Enjoys making it, is effective at 2m, comes here off a short break and looks a classy chaser so can defy penalty.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 12 | 4 | 5 | 33.3% | |
| Chase | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 9 | 1 | 5 | 11.1% |
| G | Similar Going | 6 | 2 | 2 | 33.3% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 25% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Dylan Johnston | 6 | 3 | 1 | 50% |
| T | S Thomas | 15 | 4 | 6 | 26.7% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Travelled strongly and did it cosily when winning the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (Grade 2) at Kempton by 7l last time, improving again. Trainer is in form, is effective at 2m, does not do much in front and is worth a further step up in grade. Big chance if handling the softer surface.
He has won a hurdle race and three chases at 2m on good and good to soft ground. A winner at 85-40 in a Grade 2 chase in the Group 2 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton over 2m (good) on his latest outing in December last year, beating Hansard by 7l. Has won 3 times this season.
Travelled strongly and did it cosily when winning the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (Grade 2) at Kempton by 7l last time, improving again. Trainer is in form, is effective at 2m, does not do much in front and is worth a further step up in grade. Big chance if handling the softer surface.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 9 | 4 | 2 | 44.4% | |
| Chase | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 4 | 4 | 0 | 100% |
| G | Similar Going | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 9 | 4 | 2 | 44.4% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 50% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Ben Jones | 5 | 4 | 0 | 80% |
| T | B Pauling | 6 | 4 | 0 | 66.7% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Yard won this race last year. Unseated in a handicap chase at Windsor latest, but had been in fine form for his new yard beforehand and is effective at 2m. Could get an easy lead but probably vulnerable in this grade.
He has won three hurdle races and a chase from 1m 7f to 2m 1f on good and good to soft ground. Unseated rider when 5-2 at Windsor over 2m (soft) in a chase won by Highlands Legacy last month on his latest outing.
Yard won this race last year. Unseated in a handicap chase at Windsor latest, but had been in fine form for his new yard beforehand and is effective at 2m. Could get an easy lead but probably vulnerable in this grade.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 12 | 4 | 3 | 33.3% | |
| Chase | 3 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 8 | 1 | 2 | 12.5% |
| G | Similar Going | 9 | 2 | 1 | 22.2% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (T only) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Tristan Durrell | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| T | Dan Skelton | 4 | 1 | 0 | 25% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
Just the three declared for this Grade 2 novices' chase but it's still competitive stuff, with slight preference for MAMBONUMBERFIVE, who gets 2lb from the hat-trick seeking Steel Ally. Ben Pauling's charge completed his three-timer in really good style at Kempton over Christmas and has improved no end this season for going over a fence. Steel Ally was impressive at Ascot and will keep the selection honest, while also winning the race for second ahead of Exeter winner Mirabad.
Expert View Verdict
A small but select field should make for a good spectacle here. Mirabad is likely to tear off in front at a track which suits frontrunners but he could set it up for the strong stayer STEEL ALLY who carries a penalty after his Grade 2 win at Ascot win over slightly further. The form of that race has been boosted at the same level and unlike his main market rival Mambonumberfive he has proven himself on soft ground. The Ben Pauling gelding has to be respected given he's unbeaten over fences and had a bit in hand when landing the Wayward Lad last time. The strong traveller should again benefit from a decent pace and looks the biggest danger if he's able to cope with the underfoot conditions.
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Previous Winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Soft | 4 | L'eau Du Sud | 7 | 11 7 | - | 225-111 | 63 days | D Skelton (16 miles) | Harry Skelton | 1/ 5 | 3:56.98 | |
| 2023 | Good | 2 | Jonbon | 7 | 11 7 | - | 1121-11 | 70 days | N J Henderson (67 miles) | Aidan Coleman | 1/ 16 | 3:52.11 | |
| 2022 | Good to Soft | 4 | Edwardstone | 8 | 11 5 | - | 53-B111 | 47 days | A King (70 miles) | Tom Cannon | 10/ 11 | 3:58.30 | |
| 2021 | Soft | 4 | Allmankind | 5 | 11 3 | - | 113-311 | 72 days | D Skelton (16 miles) | Harry Skelton | 4/ 7 | 4:08.87 | |
| 2020 | Good to Soft | 6 | Rouge Vif | 6 | 11 0 | - | 113-142 | 43 days | H Whittington (101 miles) | Gavin Sheehan | 7/ 2 | 4:00.10 | |
| 2019 | Soft | 3 | Glen Forsa | 7 | 11 0 | - | 15-2211 | 51 days | M R Channon (66 miles) | Jonathan Burke | 7/ 2 | 4:00.90 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 4 | Saint Calvados | 5 | 10 12 | - | 1116-11 | 24 days | H Whittington (101 miles) | Aidan Coleman | 4/ 9 | 4:08.26 | |
| 2017 | Heavy | 6 | Flying Angel | 6 | 11 4 | - | 123-1FP | 92 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (40 miles) | William Twiston-Davies | 7/ 2 | 4:10.80 | |
| 2016 | Soft | 3 | Violet Dancer | 6 | 11 4 | - | 00-1211 | 46 days | G & J Moore (123 miles) | Jamie Moore | 8/ 1 | 4:09.70 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 5 | Vibrato Valtat | 6 | 11 7 | - | 331211 | 42 days | P F Nicholls (123 miles) | Sam Twiston-Davies | 6/ 5 | 4:08.68 | |
| 2014 | Heavy | 5 | Balder Succes | 6 | 11 7 | - | 541F15 | 63 days | A King (70 miles) | Wayne Hutchinson | 6/ 5 | 4:04.30 | |
| 2013 | Heavy | 5 | Majala | 7 | 11 7 | - | 2P32-11 | 49 days | T R George (60 miles) | J Maguire | 2/ 1 | 4:16.60 | |
| 2011 | Good to Soft | 4 | Finian's Rainbow | 8 | 11 4 | - | 1315-11 | 24 days | N J Henderson (67 miles) | Andrew Tinkler | 2/ 5 | 3:55.30 | |
| 2010 | Good to Soft | 5 | Long Run | 5 | 11 5 | - | 3-12111 | 49 days | N J Henderson (67 miles) | Mr Sam Waley-Cohen | 4/ 7 | 4:04.70 | |
| 2009 | Good to Soft | 5 | Gauvain | 7 | 10 12 | - | 50-521F | 14 days | C J Mann (63 miles) | Noel Fehily | 8/ 1 | 4:00.50 | |
| 2008 | Soft | 6 | Kruguyrova | 5 | 10 9 | - | 1-21212 | 15 days | C R Egerton (63 miles) | Jimmy McCarthy | 5/ 2 | 3:58.00 |
Race Favourite Stats
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 | 3 |
Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 2m 54y | 3:52.10 |