The 2025 Tingle Creek Chase is a delightful appetiser for December’s racing, the Grade 1 attracting a five-runner field of significant quality. GG columnist Joe Napier previews the race and runners below and gives his verdict for Sandown’s big race.

Tingle Creek Runner-By-Runner Guide

Boothill – Harry Fry/Bryan Carver

A talented Grade 2-winning novice chaser in his youth, Boothill was still capable of a high level of form when second in the Shloer Chase to Jonbon at Cheltenham in November 2024. However, a fall at Kempton preceded a last-of-four effort, beaten 46 lengths, in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot and he has since been pulled up at that venue, which he used to thrive at, on his return. He is a little long in the tooth now and playing for prize money only.

Il Etait Temps – Willie Mullins/Paul Townend

In his fifth season with Willie Mullins but still only a seven-year-old, Il Etait Temps claimed three Grade 1s in an underrated novice chasing season in 2023/24. He subsequently missed most of the last campaign, only reappearing on the final day at Sandown, but he emerged in some style, disdainfully dispatching Jonbon for that rival’s first ever defeat away from Cheltenham. That he was capable of such a performance after a lengthy layoff suggests Willie Mullins’ charge could have a big season ahead and he is difficult to oppose after another easy victory on return given we know how well goes at Sandown now.

Jonbon – Nicky Henderson/Nico De Boinville

An immaculate 16/16 away from Cheltenham up until April, Jonbon’s famous JP McManus colours were lowered in frightening fashion by Il Etait Temps in the Celebration Chase. Nicky Henderson’s star is nine now, but has an extraordinary career strike rate, including two Tingle Creeks, one when not at his best in 2023 and one when he certainly was last year. The issue is that his ceiling looks to be lowering, with his return at Cheltenham in the Shloer Chase, which he had won twice, disappointing. Prestbury Park usually awakens some demons, but that lesser effort nevertheless suggests he is beatable over 2m now.

L’Eau du Sud – Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton

The winner of last season’s Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase on this card over course and distance, L’Eau du Sud won on his first four starts over fences, impressing with his jumping. That is Dan Skelton’s grey’s biggest asset, which came apart slightly in a defeat at Aintree to conclude a long season, but his reappearance could not have gone smoother, as he dispatched Jonbon by 15 lengths in the Shloer with minimal fuss. If that is representative of a genuine step forward, rather than an opportunistic victory, he is a serious threat to the travelling favourite.

Libberty Hunter – Evan Williams/Harry Cobden

An impressive victory in a Cheltenham handicap last December highlighted that Libberty Hunter could prove up to Graded quality and Evan Williams’ charge was a close runner-up in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase next time out to supplement that idea. He fell when still travelling well enough in the Champion Chase at a big price next time out, but another unseat on his return at Cheltenham does raise significant questions about his jumping under pressure.

Tingle Creek Chase Trends

• Eight of the last nine winners have been aged between 6-8
• Six of the last nine favourites have won the race, including the last two at odds-on
• However, Willie Mullins’ odds-on favourite, Chacun Pour Soi, was last of five in 2021
• Only one winner has gone off bigger than 5/1 in the last decade

Tingle Creek Verdict

Jonbon might have had excuses when beaten in the Celebration Chase, but it is difficult to believe he retains his full ability after a weak return at Cheltenham behind L’Eau du Sud in the Shloer Chase. Dan Skelton’s grey is respected given that bloodless triumph was a career best, but Il Etait Temps can add the Tingle Creek to his defeat of Jonbon over course and distance back in April. Willie Mullins’ charge was extremely impressive that day and could be set for big things this campaign.

Tingle Creek Chase Racecard

Tingle Creek Chase FAQs

When and where is the Tingle Creek Chase run?

The Tingle Creek Chase will be run at 3pm on Saturday 6 December at Sandown Park racecourse.

Who won last year’s Tingle Creek Chase?

Last year’s winner of the Tingle Creek Chase was Jonbon, who looks to win a third Tingle Creek in a row this year.

Who is Joe Napier?

Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.

Commercial notice: This article on GG.co.uk contains affiliate links. The offers we promote come from operators that we trust and our experts have first-hand experience dealing with. If you open an account through one of these affiliate links then GG will earn revenue. However, we ensure that the money earned goes back into improving and enhancing our coverage of horse racing and other sports, as we look to provide an excellent service to our growing audience.