March 01 / 15.15 Doncaster

15.15

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £36421
  • 3m 2f 1y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £48.80
  • Place: £9.60

Form: 852-P4 CD

Last run: 111 days

W: 10st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
11yo who has had eight starts since October 2023 and ran well just once; however, that was when second at Cheltenham (3m2f, good; 2lb lower today) last April on the only previous occasion he's worn these blinkers, so the return of the headgear offers a glimmer of hope (tailed off in cheekpieces latest start); he also won this race in 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Moroder

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Six-time chase winner who returned to form with a rallying second at Taunton (3m4f, good) last month; only 1lb higher here and has claims if he can build on that back in trip.

13/2

2nd

1

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Moroder

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Six-time chase winner but now appears to be on the downgrade; pulled up when bidding to win the Grimthorpe at Doncaster for the third time in February and was tailed off at Ascot (2m5f, good) 11 days ago; can only be watched at present.

12/1

4th

1

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 13y

Class 4

14:30 Ascot

Moroder

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Ran no race in Doncaster's Grimthorpe last month (3m2f, soft; blinkers returned) and he had a good record in that race; did run quite well there the time before; unwise to focus too much on his reduced mark when clearly not the force of old, but he has returned to winning ways from out of the blue in the past, and he'll enjoy getting back on forecast good ground; earns respect.

12/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 5-1213 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won well under Finn Lambert over about 3m in small fields at Southwell (good) in October and Doncaster (good to soft) in December, latterly in first-time cheekpieces which have been kept since; up 4lb to this mark when a creditable, rallying third on soft at Uttoxeter three weeks ago; has more to give over this sort of trip and may well revert to winning ways.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

The Kniphand

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Two small-field wins this term, latterly in first-time cheekpieces which have been kept since; rallied since for third at Uttoxeter (soft) and second at Doncaster (good), leaving the strong impression over 3m2f last time that he has stamina reserves; up 2lb but makes each-way appeal.

11/1

17

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

The Kniphand

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Two small-field wins this term, latterly in first-time cheekpieces which have been kept since; rallied since for third at Uttoxeter (soft) and second at Doncaster (good), leaving the strong impression over 3m2f last time that he has stamina reserves; up 2lb but makes each-way appeal.

11/1

2nd

14

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

The Kniphand

10st 7lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Won well under Finn Lambert over about 3m in small fields at Southwell (good) in October and Doncaster (good to soft) in December, latterly in first-time cheekpieces which have been kept since; up 4lb to this mark when a creditable, rallying third on soft at Uttoxeter three weeks ago; has more to give over this sort of trip and may well revert to winning ways.

10/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 21-132

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced; won at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last April and has run well when placed this season off this 10lb higher mark at Cheltenham (extended 3m3f, good) and Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); each-way claims again assuming that first-time cheekpieces don't have a negative impact.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

29th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

14:00 Uttoxeter

Hymac

10st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

3m4f winner in April 2024 and, after a break, he followed up in a novice hurdle; continued to run well afterwards in staying chases, latterly behind Manothepeople at Cheltenham; this mark isn't beyond him; respected.

7/1

2nd

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Hymac

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Kept on gamely to win the 3m4f chase on this card a year ago (good ground) and has performed well on all four outings this season, most recently when third to Moroder in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (3m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces); likely contender.

11/4

2nd

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Hymac

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Kept on gamely to win the 3m4f chase on this card a year ago (good ground) and has performed well on all four outings this season, most recently when third to Moroder in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (3m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces); likely contender.

11/4

Form: -PPU44 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
A familiar sight at Doncaster but he isn't the force of old; trying blinkers has prompted some uplift this winter but not as much as last season's initial cheekpieces and he was beaten about 18l when fourth of 13 in the Great Yorkshire here on latest start; dropped just 1lb since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Erne River

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nick Kent

Still runs well now and again but this 11yo is not as good as he was and become inconsistent.

16/1

4th

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Erne River

11st 8lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Ran well for a long way when fourth at Doncaster (3m, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in February and remains well handicapped but this steadily regressive 11yo has become inconsistent, and others appeal more.

4/1

4th

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Erne River

12st 1lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Nick Kent

Winless since December 2023 and pulled up over C&D in December on sole run this term; however, he may have needed that outing and is on a handy mark on last season's best efforts; has won here three times, including in these reapplied cheekpieces, and is not ruled out; the tongue-tie is a first.

10/1

Form: -32P51 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Trained initially this term by Christian Williams; back with Nigel Twiston-Davies last time and made the breakthrough over fences at tenth attempt, thoroughly dominating a five-runner handicap on first visit here (3m, good); back up 8lb and not proven over this far but that win demands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Weveallbeencaught

11st 6lb

J: Mr J C Barry

T: E McNamara

Disappointing at Leopardstown in December last time but in good form previously for new yard, finishing second in the Munster National in October (3m, yielding to soft); 13l fourth in this race last year when he'd have been closer but for a bad late mistake; each-way shout if back on song.

16/1

11

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:15 Limerick

Weveallbeencaught

11st 0lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E McNamara

Won a 3m Doncaster novice handicap chase in fine style for Nigel Twiston-Davies in January; second-best of the home team when fourth behind Daily Present in the Kim Muir; can be expected to improve from stable debut at Listowel; prospects of reversing form with Talk In The Park.

8/1

3

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Listowel

Weveallbeencaught

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: E McNamara

Won a 3m Doncaster novice handicap chase in fine style for Nigel Twiston-Davies in January; not a bad effort when last seen at Aintree in April; bought for 40,000GBP at Goffs in May; worth a market check on first start for new yard.

12/1

Form: 41-P67

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Career best to win under Alice Stevens at Musselburgh (2m4f) on the first day of 2024 but absent 334 days afterwards and he's weakened right out of it on all three starts this season; tried cheekpieces last time (they are now removed) and he's unproven beyond 2m4f (has tried 2m5f and 2m6f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

17:35 Newbury

Fidelio Vallis

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) on the first day of 2024, registering a career best; absent 334 days afterwards and he's weakened out of it on all four starts this season but latest was a step back in the right direction and he's dropped in class; tried cheekpieces penultimate start (they now return) and he's unproven beyond 2m4f (tried 3m2f last time).

8/1

6th

5

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Fidelio Vallis

11st 5lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Harry Derham

Career best to win under Alice Stevens at Musselburgh (2m4f) on the first day of 2024 but absent 334 days afterwards and he's weakened right out of it on all three starts this season; tried cheekpieces last time (they are now removed) and he's unproven beyond 2m4f (has tried 2m5f and 2m6f).

33/1

7th

6

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Fidelio Vallis

11st 4lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Harry Derham

prominent

9/1

7/1

Form: 25-2P7 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f, heavy) last March off 3lb lower; kept to hurdling this term with a creditable reappearance (on good ground) followed by two lesser efforts, although he was not disgraced last time; back to chasing but he needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Twig

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Second at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and he started last season with two wins, including a gritty success in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f); struggled in the Grand National last month but he's now only 2lb higher than for his last win and looks interesting on this drop back in trip and class; last success was on soft but most of his wins have been on good ground.

5/2

15th

34

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Twig

10st 4lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Second at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and started this season with two wins, notably by a short head from Mr Vango in the 3m2f Becher over these fences (wore cheekpieces second time); warmed up for this over hurdles after three months off; the Becher performance was doughty stuff but his only go at a marathon trip was last year's National in which he finished a remote tenth, always behind.

40/1

7th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Twig

11st 7lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Useful chaser who is 2-2 this season, latest success in notable race at Aintree; however, lower mark over hurdles reflects his level in this sphere and main target is again the Grand National next month.

20/1

Form: 74-V64

Last run: 92 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Finished well for second over the extended 2m6f at Newbury in December 2023 (4lb lower today); not quite in that form since, joining new stable for his two runs this winter, and he's also not proved his stamina over even 3m; could still be worth a second look, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

19:30 Newton Abbot

Lord Baddesley

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Rather lost his way last season after winning at Newbury in October and last week's Fakenham run was an all-time low; tries a visor this time, but blinkers and cheekpieces did nothing for him.

8/1

6th

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Lord Baddesley

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Easily won three-runner race at Newbury (2m4f, good) in October but subsequent form last season was underwhelming; well handicapped now (even from 1lb out of the weights) and will probably be okay back at 3m but needs the new cheekpieces to perk him up.

11/2

7th

15

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Lord Baddesley

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Easily won three-runner handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good) on reappearance; jumped left when 6l third of four at right-handed Ascot (2m5f, good) next time, and his 13l sixth of nine at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) came in a race that worked out extremely well; heavy going excuses him being tailed off at Warwick and he could go well now back on better ground.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 34-11U

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Big progress as hurdler initially last term (2m4f-3m) and also won handicaps when switched to chasing for first two starts this season (up to an extended 2m5f); 12-1 but unseated early for 3m Grade 1 novice at Kempton on Boxing Day (has similar Cheltenham entry); has a question to answer with new trip but, barring mishaps, best days are still ahead of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

White Rhino

11st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Big progress as hurdler initially last term (2m4f-3m) and also won handicaps when switched to chasing for first two starts this season (up to an extended 2m5f); 12-1 but unseated early for 3m Grade 1 novice at Kempton on Boxing Day (has similar Cheltenham entry); has a question to answer with new trip but, barring mishaps, best days are still ahead of him.

5/1

Form: P-3237

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
All three of his wins came in autumn 2022; running creditably this season, including over 3m2f, but he could not hold his own in a valuable handicap at Ascot on latest occasion and it's likely to be the same story today unless first-time cheekpieces receive a very positive response.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Monte Igueldo

10st 12lb

J: James Davies

T: Gary Hanmer

All three of his wins came in autumn 2022; running creditably this season, including over 3m2f, but he could not hold his own in a valuable handicap at Ascot on latest occasion and it's likely to be the same story today unless first-time cheekpieces receive a very positive response.

40/1

8

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Monte Igueldo

10st 7lb

J: James Davies

T: Gary Hanmer

Record of 0-5 for current stable; consistent efforts at Uttoxeter (twice, in the summer) and Bangor (autumn) this season but faces a stiffer task in this field.

25/1

Form: 3PP-P4 CD

Last run: 73 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Failed to complete far too often for comfort and soundly beaten when he did get round in a first-time visor (replacing usual cheekpieces) at Ludlow in December when last seen; the big positives are that he won this race in 2022 and was beaten a neck in it in 2023, but last year's performance in the Grimthorpe was poor; down to his lowest mark as a chaser.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Undersupervision

12st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Very well handicapped on old form but has been pulled up on six of his eight starts over the last two years, most recently in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (a race he won in 2022); sports first-time tongue-tie and swaps visor for refitted cheekpieces here; revival needed.

33/1

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Undersupervision

12st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Very well handicapped on old form but has been pulled up on six of his eight starts over the last two years, most recently in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (a race he won in 2022); sports first-time tongue-tie and swaps visor for refitted cheekpieces here; revival needed.

33/1

10

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Undersupervision

10st 9lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Failed to complete far too often for comfort and soundly beaten when he did get round in a first-time visor (replacing usual cheekpieces) at Ludlow in December when last seen; the big positives are that he won this race in 2022 and was beaten a neck in it in 2023, but last year's performance in the Grimthorpe was poor; down to his lowest mark as a chaser.

16/1

Form: 4-P41P C

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
3m win here last winter and good second in this race next time; Rowland Meyrick win at Wetherby on Boxing Day was a new high, followed by a poor show at Chelteham five weeks ago but that was 2m4f; it was also the second time he's pulled up there this term and he had wind surgery soon after the first occasion; if all is well, should be a major player back with this test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Some Scope

11st 10lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Richard Hobson

Won from the front in first-time visor (kept since) at Doncaster in December; back to form when second at Newbury on latest start, his second run after his second wind operation; has a competitive mark but his inconsistency and going beyond 3m2f both introduce doubts.

5/1

2nd

7

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Some Scope

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Richard Hobson

Not easy to predict but he's only 2lb higher than when making all at Doncaster (3m, good) just after Christmas, and he probably went off too fast when beaten 33l there (3m2f, soft) three weeks ago; not discounted.

11/2

2nd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Some Scope

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Physical issues came to light after disappointing in a cross-country race last time; wore just a tongue-tie then but the visor that worked so well when a 3l winner here the time before now returns, as does Charlie Maggs with his claim; however, he has become hard to predict and underwent further wind surgery only recently.

15/2

Non-runners

King Turgeon, Surrey Quest

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £301.60
Straight Forecast £164.00
Tricast £866.11
Trifecta £1985.80

Selections

Telegraph:

White Rhino

SPOTLIGHT:

The Kniphand

The Star:

Weveallbeencaught

POSTDATA:

Surrey Quest

Daily Record:

Hymac

D Express:

Erne River

RP RATINGS:

Lord Baddesley

The Guardian:

Twig

Daily Mail:

White Rhino

Daily Mirror:

White Rhino

The Sun:

White Rhino

TOPSPEED:

The Kniphand

The Times:

The Kniphand