February 26 / 14.25 Bangor-on-Dee

14.25

Heavy

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 1f 77y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.70
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 032P43

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer but just 1-30 under rules, the win coming over hurdles at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last May; fair third of eight over fences at Leicester (2m4f, soft) 13 days ago and each-way claims on that performance, despite being 3lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Eric Carmen

10st 13lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

In cracking form this season, with three wins and a second, until however he went down by 25l at Bangor (good) on latest start; maybe the ground that day was not soft enough; major player if bouncing straight back.

13/2

6th

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Eric Carmen

10st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

A lot more exposed than many in here but he's been in cracking form since returning from an absence and his defeat at Leicester was no backward step (2m4f, good to soft); firmly in the mix.

3/1

2nd

3

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Leicester

Eric Carmen

11st 9lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Has thrived since returning from a break in December, winning two of his three runs over hurdles before adding a third win of the season reverting to fences at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) last month, each time under Benjamin Macey; he's up 4lb for last time but is very much a leading contender in current form.

5/4

13/8

  • Place: £1.10

Form: -47F41

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Some promise over hurdles for Evan Williams early last year, but three starts over fences after returning in November didn't go to plan; made a successful return to hurdles on stable debut at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) nine days ago and although he has something to prove back over fences, is respected if he has generally turned a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Jackpot Cash

11st 4lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Won two chases and two hurdles on good/good to soft in 2025, including over this C&D last February; wasn't at his best in the autumn but wouldn't rule out completely.

8/1

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Jackpot Cash

11st 13lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Did very well for new stable in first half of this year, winning two hurdles and two chases; unseated rider in a chase this month, after a break, but could plausibly still have more improvement to come; respected.

7/2

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Jackpot Cash

11st 13lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Did very well for new stable in first half of this year, winning two hurdles and two chases; unseated rider in a chase this month, after a break, but could plausibly still have more improvement to come; respected.

7/2

20/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: /466-0

Last run: 138 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Placed in a French bumper as a 3yo, but well held in a bumper and three starts over hurdles for Nicky Henderson last winter; again well held on stable/chase debut at Chepstow (3m, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in October; drop in trip will need to make a big difference back from another absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Jaitroplaclasse

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Gave good account when close third in first-time cheekpieces at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) last month and perhaps not helped by the heavy ground when a beaten favourite next time; only 1-12 as a chaser but he's in the mix.

5/1

4th

1

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

16:15 Taunton

Jaitroplaclasse

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Just 1-11 over fences but gave good account when close third in first-time cheekpieces at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) last month and should be fine on the slower ground here; one to consider.

7/2

3rd

7

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 5

14:17 Ludlow

Jaitroplaclasse

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Made all in small-field Newton Abbot chase (2m, good to soft) in September and put a below-par run behind him when respectable third at Sedgefield (2m, good to soft) on Boxing Day but others appeal more all the same; moves back up in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces.

10/1

Form: -F3221

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
No win in his first 16 starts, but he was running well over hurdles prior to making a successful chase debut in returning cheekpieces at Leicester (2m, soft) 13 days ago; 6lb higher but may still have more to offer over fences; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

14:50 Chepstow

Night Jet

10st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Won chase debut in February 2025 and back to form with blinkers enlisted when second on last two outings, but all three of those runs were over 2m and there is plenty to prove judged on his attempts at 2m4f/3m; cheekpieces return and their previous usage includes that one win.

9/1

2nd

5

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Night Jet

10st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Took a step forward in a change of headgear when second of eight in handicap over C&D 22 day ago, hindered by a blunder two out; this C&D winner is a likely player if blinkers have the same effect a second time.

9/2

2nd

8

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Night Jet

10st 12lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Opened his account when winning on chase debut over C&D (soft) last February but he's not come close to that form in four subsequent runs; overall record is now 1-21 and he needs new headgear to give him a boost.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: -536P3

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
0-19 under rules and failed to beat a rival on stable debut on the AW last time, but had previously finished third of 11 over fences at Market Rasen (2m1f, good to soft) on his final start for Alan King; still has enough to prove, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Warwick

Royal Deeside

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

Both chase wins were over 2m4f on good ground at Hexham and nearly won again at Kelso ten days ago when headed on the run-in; same mark.

5/2

2nd

6

24th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

16:12 Kelso

Royal Deeside

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

Both chase wins were over 2m4f on good ground at Hexham last year, latest in August; close third over same C&D last time and worth considering.

7/2

3rd

4

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Royal Deeside

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

C&D winner in May and August (good) last year; has been in good form both over fences and on the Flat (second over 2m5f at Pontefract 11 days ago) on last four starts; conditions suit and he's a contender.

13/2

Form: 49-344

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
0-13 in bumpers/hurdles, though he has made the frame on six occasions (underwent wind surgery before latest outing); half-brother to three winners over fences so he could play a part in this new discipline.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

17:48 Fontwell

Grasshopper Time

11st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

0-13 over hurdles but went down fighting when close second at Southwell (2m4f, good) in May and again ran well at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) last month; well suited by ground slower than good; high on the list.

7/2

3

13th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:35 Stratford

Grasshopper Time

11st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Three runs since wind surgery and the blip came over fences; clear second at Southwell last time (2m4f, good) and might well have won had he not fluffed the last flight; should run well off just 3lb higher.

100/30

4

20th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:50 Southwell

Grasshopper Time

11st 7lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Pulled up after sketchy round of jumping on chasing debut in February and now reverts to hurdling; given a chance by the handicapper in this sphere but his record is not compelling and he has raced mainly on ground slower than good.

7/1

Form: 77U5-7

Last run: 60 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced since going close over hurdles at the end of 2022 and didn't show enough on his return from another absence over fences at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in December to make him of interest here; 3lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

26th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

14:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Staar

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Lightly raced since going close over hurdles at the end of 2022 and didn't show enough on his return from another absence over fences at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in December to make him of interest here; 3lb out of the weights.

25/1

7th

8

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

12:45 Leicester

Staar

10st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

visibility reduced by fog, in touch with leaders

10/1

7th

8

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

12:45 Leicester

Staar

10st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

visibility reduced by fog, in touch with leaders

10/1

Form: 69-0PP

Last run: 68 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won a point bumper in April 2023, but poor in nine starts over hurdles, pulling up on five occasions; 7lb out of the weights on chase debut and hard to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

13:37 Worcester

Mo Zola

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Point bumper winner in 2023 but has shown only modest form over hurdles/fences under rules, although latest C&D run was more encouraging; more needed again from out of the weights.

50/1

6

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:25 Worcester

Mo Zola

10st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Belinda Clarke

Out of form in points this spring and well beaten in 2m4f chase here when back under rules in June; effectively only 4lb lower today; very difficult to enthuse over.

50/1

5th

9

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Mo Zola

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Unplaced all nine hurdling starts and was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) on chasing debut; back under rules after three very uninspiring points runs this spring and 8lb out of the weights; can't be recommended.

50/1

Non-runners

Chumlee, Nancy Till

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.30
Straight Forecast £13.96
Tricast £80.05
Trifecta £144.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Night Jet

The Times:

Jackpot Cash

RP RATINGS:

Chumlee

The Guardian:

Royal Deeside

Daily Mail:

Jackpot Cash

D Express:

Jackpot Cash

The Sun:

Jackpot Cash

Telegraph:

Night Jet

Daily Mirror:

Night Jet

The Star:

Night Jet

Daily Record:

Night Jet

POSTDATA:

Chumlee