February 01 / 13.00 Wetherby

13.00

Soft

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 2m 3f 85y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 7-001 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 6yo; didn't show much in three 2m hurdle runs, but he found stacks of improvement when scoring on his handicap/chase debut at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in December; up 8lb but he rallied well for that comfortable success and is open to more progress; strongly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

25th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:45 Leicester

Jumper Madrik

11st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Charlie Longsdon

Major improvement since switched to fences and handicap level, winning soft-ground contests at this course (2m4f) and Wetherby (2m3f) despite lacking fluency; shapes as if he'll be suited by this longer trip and looks capable of further progress, especially if jumping better; respected.

10/11

1st

9

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 5

13:00 Wetherby

Jumper Madrik

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Charlie Longsdon

Very lightly raced 6yo; didn't show much in three 2m hurdle runs, but he found stacks of improvement when scoring on his handicap/chase debut at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in December; up 8lb but he rallied well for that comfortable success and is open to more progress; strongly respected.

100/30

1st

9

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 5

13:00 Wetherby

Jumper Madrik

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Charlie Longsdon

Very lightly raced 6yo; didn't show much in three 2m hurdle runs, but he found stacks of improvement when scoring on his handicap/chase debut at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in December; up 8lb but he rallied well for that comfortable success and is open to more progress; strongly respected.

100/30

16/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: P8-544

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
0-6 over hurdles but she's run respectably in her last three handicaps, most recently when fourth of 16 at Hexham (2m7f, soft) in December; this is a big drop back in trip but she's a point winner who has possibilities if she can find something extra on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Time Was

10st 9lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Philip Kirby

0-19 under rules but returned from a break with a clear second over C&D (good to soft) in November and made the frame on all three subsequent appearances; returns from another break today; can make her presence felt.

9/2

4th

6

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Time Was

10st 7lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Philip Kirby

9yo who is 0-18 under rules but running well this season, finishing third at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) last time; might not be far away.

11/2

11/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: PP4612 CD BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Record of 1-10 over fences but his win was by 14l over C&D (tongue-tie added) on Boxing Day and he backed that up with a close call at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last month; up another 2lb but he's been as good as ever recently and is open to more progress; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

13:30 Newcastle

Empty Nest

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Usually goes well over C&D - form figures 212 - that win gained from a 2lb higher mark (favourite) over a year ago; recent Wetherby efforts were not so good but there was plenty to admire about the manner in which he rallied behind Always A Reason over C&D (good to soft) in January.

15/8

5th

7

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

Empty Nest

10st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

C&D winner who was runner-up at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in January and filled same position at Doncaster (2m4f, soft) last month; disappointing over C&D last time but no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.

13/2

6th

7

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:35 Wetherby

Empty Nest

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Two wins last season (including C&D) and he's run well to finish second on both outings this year (2m4f, good to soft/soft), most recently at Doncaster three weeks ago; solid contender.

11/2

Form: 6457-3

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
1-10 over hurdles and was hard to predict in that sphere, but he returned after wind surgery with a good third in 18-runner handicap at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month; on same mark here and has possibilities if he takes to this new discipline.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

So Many Roads

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald Whillans

Resumed winning ways at Ayr (2m4f) in January but failed to back it up when a well-held fifth in another 2m4f handicap at that track 43 days ago; others appeal more.

11/1

5th

2

10th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:35 Ayr

So Many Roads

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald Whillans

Both wins have been here, latest when beating Velvet Vulcan by a head in a 19-runner handicap over this trip last month (soft; went clear but only just held on); should go well off this 3lb higher mark.

100/30

Form: 7P-61P D

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Off the mark when winning on his second chase start at Ffos Las (2m3f, soft) in November; came from off the pace for that comfortable win but he flopped at Exeter (pulled up) the following month and needs to bounce back after that laboured effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Ileny Royale

11st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Tim Vaughan

Battled on gamely to open account at Ffos Las (2m3f, soft) last November but was well below that form on final three starts last season; needs to have been refreshed by seven-month break; had wind op in September.

25/1

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Ileny Royale

11st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Tim Vaughan

Battled on gamely to open account at Ffos Las (2m3f, soft) last November but was well below that form on final three starts last season; needs to have been refreshed by seven-month break; had wind op in September.

25/1

7th

5

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Ileny Royale

11st 11lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Battled on gamely to open account here (2m3f, soft) in November and, judged on that performance, looks a good candidate for 3m; however, two lesser efforts have followed and he now has a point to prove.

12/1

Form: /648-6 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Veteran who returned from a long absence with a well-held sixth of eight over C&D (50-1) in December; that took his chase record to 0-20 and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:35 Cartmel

Thatsy

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Has some useful hurdle/chase form on his CV but yet to add to his Irish maiden hurdle win in 2019 and getting long in the tooth now; well beaten over hurdles this month; headgear switched for chase return; 4lb wrong.

33/1

10

3rd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Thatsy

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Has some useful hurdle/chase form on his CV but yet to add to his Irish maiden hurdle win in 2019 and getting long in the tooth now; pulled up over fences last time out in April; now hurdling for first time since 2022.

25/1

Form: 6-9455

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Beaten 27l or more in two bumpers and three runs over hurdles (2m1f/2m3f); still lightly raced and now makes his handicap debut but he needs a transformation on this switch to fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Diamond Mix

11st 13lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Paul Robson

Dual C&D winner who should strip fitter following a decent third at Newcastle (2m, good to soft) in March; still lightly raced with the promise of more improvement to come.

5/2

3rd

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:15 Newcastle

Diamond Mix

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Paul Robson

Winning seasonal reappearance at Hexham (2m, good to soft; from 9lb lower) in November, and has presumably been kept away from the worst of the winter conditions since; that wasn't a particularly strong Class 4 contest but this isn't either, and the chances are he has more to offer; key player.

15/8

13/2

Form: 374-23

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
0-5 over hurdles but he was runner-up on handicap debut at Leicester (1m7f, heavy) in December and ran to a similar level when third at Southwell (2m, soft) last month; needs to find something extra on this switch to fences but he's still unexposed and has shaped as though this new trip could suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:20 Leicester

Nedzor

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Henry Oliver

Still a maiden and this season has been a game of two halves, with his second-place finishes in November preceding a couple of poor efforts; doesn't look as if he's about to get off the mark.

11/2

4

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

16:15 Taunton

Nedzor

10st 13lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Henry Oliver

Disappointing favourite when back over hurdles last month but came second in two soft-ground chases in November (2m/2m4f) and will be on the premises if quickly back on song in first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

Form: 5585/

Last run: 732 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to a point winner and he showed ability in his three hurdle runs at up to 2m4f; his last run was two years ago but he's still very lightly raced and needs checking in market on his handicap/chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Tenbobeachway

10st 9lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Very lightly raced hurdler; off two years before beating only one on his chasing debut in 2m3f Wetherby handicap last month; significantly more is required.

20/1

9th

6

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 5

13:00 Wetherby

Tenbobeachway

11st 9lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Half-brother to a point winner and he showed ability in his three hurdle runs at up to 2m4f; his last run was two years ago but he's still very lightly raced and needs checking in market on his handicap/chase debut.

12/1

Form: 5-7625 BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Did well to finish a close second at Newcastle (2m4f, good) in November after making some mistakes, but he was tailed off behind Empty Nest over C&D on Boxing Day; that took his rules record to 0-11 and others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

13:30 Newcastle

Hawkseye View

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Made it 12th-time lucky over fences when scoring over C&D (good to soft; from 2lb lower) three starts back; excuses since - fell, and then out of depth in a valuable Class 2 Series Final at Carlisle; could bounce back with Danny McMenamin returning to the saddle.

11/4

10th

12

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Hawkseye View

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Mid-race faller last weekend when bidding for a Newcastle double (maiden under rules previously); ran respectably over C&D in February; 4lb out of weights but could go well with a clear round.

8/1

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Hawkseye View

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Point winner; won his first race under rules here last time (2m4f, good to soft; cheekpieces on for third time); seems equally effective at this trip and should go well off this 3lb higher mark.

7/2

Non-runners

Chosen Hero

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.90
Straight Forecast £57.86
Tricast £249.88
Trifecta £295.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Empty Nest

Daily Mirror:

Jumper Madrik

Telegraph:

So Many Roads

RP RATINGS:

Hawkseye View

The Sun:

Jumper Madrik

Daily Record:

Jumper Madrik

POSTDATA:

Empty Nest

The Times:

Empty Nest

The Guardian:

Empty Nest

Daily Mail:

Empty Nest

D Express:

So Many Roads

The Star:

So Many Roads