February 08 / 16.10 Newbury

16.10

Soft

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13730.6
  • 2m 7f 86y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
SKY
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William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 11-F42

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won well in two novice hurdles in the mud at Wincanton last winter, latterly over an extended 2m5f; has looked in similar form switched to chasing this season, which he needs to improve on but he'd taken the measure of Saint Davy and Hillcrest when they came a cropper at Ffos Las last time, when he had a tongue-tie fitted, and this new trip might be within reach.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Lord Of Thunder

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Off the mark over fences at the fourth attempt in Newbury handicap in February (2m7f, soft; Pic Roc second); also effective on good going; merely mid-division in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham since but he's back in a less competitive race here and he could tap back into his previous promise.

14/1

4th

5

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Lord Of Thunder

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

in touch with leaders, not fluent 2nd

14/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 122-F2 BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Fine season last term as a novice hurdler included front-running second in the EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, soft); crumpled on landing mid-race on chase debut but went close at Exeter (2m3f, soft) two months later and has plenty more to offer in this sphere; upped in trip and one to note.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Pic Roc

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Soundly beaten when just 17-2 at last year's Festival (2m4f); finally opened his chase account in November, before staying-on fifth in major handicap at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) where he was badly hindered at the unsatisfactory start; 13l win at Sandown (3m, soft; made most) on latest outing confirmed he's got his act together, which earned a 7lb rise but he needs respect.

16/1

1st

3

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Pic Roc

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Opened his chase account on reappearance, then did well to finish fifth in major handicap at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) having badly hindered at the unsatisfactory start; lost chance with bad mistake four out when beaten favourite at Ascot since; remains of interest, assuming he puts in an error-free round.

9/2

1st

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 3

13:48 Huntingdon

Pic Roc

11st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Has the best hurdles form in this field and his good efforts (twice runner-up) over fences last season were even better; however, he was below form in first-time cheekpieces on penultimate outing and failed to complete on starts either side, the latest 11 days ago; that dents his case today (in returning cheekpieces) but he is the standout on form.

10/11

Form: 42-211 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won three successive handicap hurdles last winter and now bids for three in a row over fences after justifying favouritism over C&D and at Windsor (3m, soft); raised another 5lb but lots to like, including that he has nothing to prove regarding stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Herakles Westwood

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Second-season chaser who took his form to new levels over about 3m1f-3m2f at Cheltenham initially this season but, after wind surgery, faded badly from three out when 10-1 for the Kim Muir there last month; needs to bounce back with another career best and he has more to prove on this third attempt at a marathon trip.

20/1

13th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Herakles Westwood

11st 6lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Warren Greatrex

Second-season chaser who has run well here on his last three starts, finishing second of 16 under Finian Maguire (3m1f, heavy) then fourth over this C&D (good to soft; lost a shoe) before winning here (3m1f, good) on New Year's Day; has had wind surgery since and he's a solid contender.

9/1

5th

13

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Herakles Westwood

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

in touch with leaders, dropped to midfield 9th

16/1

Form: 116-3F D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Point, bumper and hurdles winner who ran well in a Grade 2 novice at Sandown (3m, soft) in December on chase debut; beaten and tiring, however, when he took a heavy fall three out in Grade 2 at Ffos Las (extended 2m3f, soft) four weeks ago; that's a concern but he is better over this sort of trip and looked promising going into that race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Saint Davy

10st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdles winner is 0-7 chasing, pick of this season's form when placed in 3m1f Carlisle handicap in February; didn't get home on softer ground at Uttoxeter on latest; tough task here upped in trip.

16/1

4th

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Uttoxeter

Saint Davy

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point/bumper/hurdles winner who remains without the full set, being 0-6 since switched to chasing; couple of creditable efforts in cheekpieces this term but needs progress to defy top weight in this field.

7/1

3rd

1

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:40 Carlisle

Saint Davy

12st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Having ended last season in the doldrums he returned to form when third of five in first-time cheekpieces (retained) on last month's reappearance at Windsor (3m, soft); he goes well fresh so it remains to be seen if he'll improve for that latest outing, but he's respected nevertheless.

3/1

Form: 319-0P

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Wore cheekpieces on last five outings, including third in the EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, soft) last March; ended last term on a low note, then tailed off trying 3m at Cheltenham on return and latest appearance was a debacle when he whipped round at the start; he could still have potential, though, and this is his chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:28 Kempton

Emailandy

11st 1lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Dual hurdle winner at about 2m4f (good to soft and good) two winters ago but disappointments have come thick and fast since pulling up on his latest two runs at 3m; goes chasing with inevitable question marks.

25/1

3

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:02 Wincanton

Emailandy

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Running well in good handicaps two years ago but he's had a couple of lengthy absences in the meantime and achieved nothing in his last six races.

25/1

Form: 114-2P C BF

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner who was 2-3 over hurdles last season and reappeared with a close second in small-field handicap for chase debut at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) in November; flopped when favourite at Exeter in December, however, and now sports headgear first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Toss Of A Coin

11st 3lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Alan Jones

Failed to complete his final two starts for Paul Nicholls but won narrowly after a wind operation on stable debut at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft); 17-2 to defy this 5lb higher mark at Exeter but he unseated at the start in a race won by Silver Thorn.

16/1

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Toss Of A Coin

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

led, raced in second 3rd

8/1

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Toss Of A Coin

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

led, raced in second 3rd, lost position 8th

8/1

Non-runners

Hillcrest, Menaggio

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.90
Straight Forecast £18.83
Tricast £32.17
Trifecta £45.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Herakles Westwood

POSTDATA:

Lord Of Thunder

Telegraph:

Menaggio

The Guardian:

Pic Roc

TOPSPEED:

Saint Davy

WEST COUNTRY:

Lord Of Thunder

Daily Mail:

Lord Of Thunder

RP RATINGS:

Herakles Westwood

LAMBOURN:

Herakles Westwood

The Times:

Herakles Westwood

D Express:

Herakles Westwood

Daily Mirror:

Herakles Westwood

The Star:

Herakles Westwood

Daily Record:

Herakles Westwood