Wetherby - Saturday 27th December 2025
CASTANEA BREEZE bounced back to form when scoring over 2m7f at Market Rasen earlier in the month and the five-year-old could be hard to beat once again, despite a 5lb rise. Shoeshine Boy hit the crossbar at Ayr last time and may prove to be the main threat, although Getaway Master and Moveonbuy are others who arrive with solid form claims.
Two Brothers sets the standard following his third on his hurdling bow over C&D earlier in the month. That said, a chance can be taken on ALSAKIB, who lacks experience over timber but he was a high-class performer on the Flat. A Group 3 winner in 2024, the five-year-old was not beaten far in the Yorkshire Cup in May and he could prove to be a class above if taking to jumping. Chillingham was also useful on the level and is another to consider.
FRISBY was not beaten far at all when filling third place over 2m7f at Kelso when last seen in November and the first-time application of cheekpieces could help him to get off the mark under Rules here. That said, As Legends Have It is another consistent performer who is an obvious threat, while it is far too soon to be writing off the unexposed Pierrot Jaguen.
Trainer Adrian Keatley took this last year and has a contender here in Catterick winner Indian River. Kentucky River looks an interesting recruit from the Flat after winning a Pontefract handicap by seven lengths, but a chance is taken on SQUARE D'ALBONI. Rated 92 on the Flat with wins at up to Listed level, if he takes to hurdles he could outclass these for the Dan Skelton stable.
Dan Skelton has won three of the last five runnings of this and has two declared, with Madara the pick as an improving six-year-old last seen finishing second at Cheltenham. He can go well but the absence is a concern and DOYEN DU BAR gets the nod after a promising November third on his first start since February. Haddex Des Obeaux would be interesting if he can get back to his 2023 form.
INK BLACK HEART showed promise when fourth at Wincanton in a similar race and, if he is fully tuned up for his first start for Dan Skelton, then there is every chance he can prove too good for these rivals. Ewden Valley is an interesting newcomer for the O'Neills as a son of Crystal Ocean and he is one to watch, while point-to-point winner Agent Argylle is another to bear in mind.
Little Wren was well backed and travelled like she could win a race last time but ultimately disappointed. She is hard to recommend but dangerous if supported again. Preference though is for the more proven CASTANEA BREEZE. He's a bit lazy or at least short of pace and improved last time given quite testing ground and 3 1/4m. The drop back in trip is not ideal, but he's in form and should run well. Shoeshine Boy is going the right way and is not on a bad mark and is a threat and Getaway Master is also running well of late and on a workable official rating, the longer trip though is a worry.
ALSAKIB is a Group horse on the Flat and not the easiest to oppose on his hurdling debut. He may ultimately need further than this but is the one to beat. Two Brothers is the pick of those with hurdling form and looks the biggest threat. Chillingham another very useful recruit from the Flat is third best.
This is a very tight little handicap. It may go to ABOUTDAMNTIME who made a bit of a meal of winning a three-runner affair last time but does look open to improvement. The consistent Frisby who has cheekpieces fitted for the first time may be next best and As Legends Have It should go well after making a good start over fences.
Square D'Alboni was Listed-class at one time on the Flat and has claims on his debut, but preference is for INDIAN RIVER who won first time of asking over timber. The biggest danger could be Lights Go Down who finished like a train last time and would have won in another few strides.
Dan Skelton's yard won this last time it was run in 2024 and they have two to go to war with this time in a small field. Both though are off long breaks and are risky propositions, Madara perhaps being the better of them. A safer bet could be DOYEN DU BAR who has been in really good form and remains competitively handicapped. Traprain Law similarly has been running well and should be in the shake-up again.
A LIKEABLE ROGUE who ran well in a good bumper at Cheltenham appeals quite strongly here. Rock On Ronnie from the yard that won the last running of the race appeals next most and Hurlyburly who ran well when green on debut could also contend
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