March 21 / 14.30 Newbury

14.30

Good To Soft

Focus Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (For The Brown Chamberlin Trophy) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 7f 86y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Focus Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (For The Brown Chamberlin Trophy) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 3/1/22 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced; won two bumpers and an Ascot novice hurdle for Chris Gordon; some doubts over what he's actually achieved in finishing runner-up in two small-field chases for this yard (tongue tied), latterly when no match for Cheltenham runner-up The Changing Man in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot (3m, good); however, now tackles his first handicap and doesn't look overburdened off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Leave Of Absence

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Good third to Lookaway in the bumper on this card four years ago; spoiled his chance with a couple of mistakes in the Cheltenham Festival handicap won by Grand National contender Johnnywho; however, he split that rival and Deep Cave for useful effort at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December and may resume his progress when jumping errors are avoided.

11/1

5th

6

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Leave Of Absence

11st 3lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Second-season chaser who is enjoying another progressive campaign, winning a novice here (3m1f, good) in October and beaten a head in a handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December; not disgraced in Grade 2 at Newbury (2m7f, heavy) last time; not ruled out each-way now back in a handicap.

16/1

3rd

4

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

14:10 Newbury

Leave Of Absence

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Lightly raced for his age and best form when pipped in a Grade 3 handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) on latest start; however, reportedly unsuited by the soft ground (his first race on it) when pulled up in a Listed novice chase at Cheltenham the time before and he has plenty to find against two of today's rivals on the ratings.

14/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 353131 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Goes on any ground; has won two of his last three chases, the latest in a first-time hood when much too good for his two rivals at Plumpton (3m1f, good); has more on his plate here now penalised (effectively 6lb higher) against classier opposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Havaila

10st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

A rising force in the last 15 months and that's gained serious momentum in his last two starts, when winning easily by 7l at Newbury (extended 2m7f, good to soft) and 5l in the Sussex National at Plumpton (3m5f, good); strong-travelling sort who's now seeing out his races really well too; up another 10lb but could still have more in the locker.

9/2

1st

5

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Havaila

11st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won over C&D (good) last March and reappeared with creditable third of 16 at Windsor (3m4f, soft) in January; bounced back from lesser run with convincing win at Newbury (2m7f, good to soft) last month and this progressive 7yo may be able to take a 9lb rise in his stride.

9/2

1st

8

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Havaila

10st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Fine return to action when close third over 3m4f at Windsor (soft; handles good) in January, but he was a bit disappointing over this C&D next time and needs to bounce back.

5/1

Form: -43332 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Recruited out of a selling hurdle last spring; beaten four times over fences and, although he got closer last time at Wetherby when seemingly outstayed over 3m, this represents a rise in class and he'll need to lift his game in the first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

16:17 Chepstow

Art Of Diplomacy

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Has gone 5-5 over fences (2m5f-3m2f) since the cheekpieces returned in June, last time prevailing in a match; tackling stronger opposition here and he's penalised accordingly, but he's in the zone and fighting fit.

4/1

1

19th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

14:03 Newton Abbot

Art Of Diplomacy

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Kept on well for ready success in Class 2 handicap at Bangor (3m, good) a fortnight ago and is now 4-4 over fences since cheekpieces were refitted in June; 2m5f on slower ground will also suit him; ought to be very hard to beat in current mood.

Evs

Form: -31455 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won four times over hurdles and added a 2m4f mares' handicap chase at Kempton in November (good); has struggled a bit since then and this is her first time against male opposition over fences; tries a tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 4

15:05 Carlisle

Ilovethenightlife

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Just one win from her 11 chase starts and inconsistent this season but she ran okay in the face of a tough task when third of five in Listed race at Newbury (2m7f, good to soft) three weeks ago; capable of having a big say now back in a handicap.

7/2

3rd

2

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

15:15 Newbury

Ilovethenightlife

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Record of only 1-10 over fences and rather exposed; distant second on penultimate start and never landed a blow in competitive handicap at Cheltenham latest; however, best form suggests she can achieve a top-three finish in this field.

10/1

5

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Ilovethenightlife

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time hurdle winner and prevailed narrowly in a 2m4f mares' handicap chase at Kempton in November (good); hasn't really threatened to go in again since then and cheekpieces are added to the tongue-tie tried last time.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 223539

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Has done well since switched to this discipline (winning twice) and his blowouts have come in strong races, latterly in the 2m4f Greatwood Gold Cup here three weeks ago; more exposed than some in here and he's unraced past 2m5f, but can be competitive off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Tedley

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Launched chasing career with two wins in the autumn (2m/2m3f. good to soft/good) and generally remained in good form until end of last season; looked a non-stayer over 2m7f on latest outing and now drops back in trip with usual cheekpieces refitted; recent 3lb drop gives him a decent chance.

6/1

5th

3

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Tedley

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Launched chasing career with two wins in the autumn (2m/2m3f. good to soft/good) and generally remained in good form until end of last season; looked a non-stayer over 2m7f on latest outing and now drops back in trip with usual cheekpieces refitted; recent 3lb drop gives him a decent chance.

6/1

5th

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

14:30 Newbury

Tedley

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Has done well since switched to this discipline (winning twice) and his blowouts have come in strong races, latterly in the 2m4f Greatwood Gold Cup here three weeks ago; more exposed than some in here and he's unraced past 2m5f, but can be competitive off this mark.

6/1

Form: 44112P D

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Only had two runs over fences, winning the latest over this sort of trip on good ground at Chepstow earlier this season; had continued the good work over hurdles until pulling up last time on heavy ground; has to prove himself worthy of this high a mark but could easily threaten.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 12lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Not wholly straightforward, but appreciated the return to hurdling sufficiently to record a new personal best in victory at Uttoxeter latest (2m7f, good to soft); blinkers debuted there will need to work at least as well now returned to his previous highest mark; has won on good.

11/2

1st

8

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Completed a double over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November 2024 but he's been up and down since and was pulled up over fences at Chepstow (11-4 favourite) last month; new headgear is now tried and he comes with risks attached back in this sphere.

6/1

7

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won over C&D (good) last season and has made the frame all three hurdling starts this term, the latest here (2m7f, good to soft) in December; seems versatile ground-wise and, from a workable mark, probably won't be far away.

6/1

Form: 73164P

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won in a small field at Wetherby in November (extended 2m3f; good) on his second run for this yard but hasn't built on that in a big way and his jumping let him down last time (good to soft); however, if the ground dried out to bordering on good then that would help; stays this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Genois

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Had lost his way but very much rejuvenated in his last four races and was closing on the winner, whom he beat the time before, over 2m4f at Haydock last time (good); edging up the weights but firmly in the reckoning.

100/30

2nd

16

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Genois

10st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on Boxing Day before good second there (2m3f, soft) in January, and he returned to winning ways at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) four weeks ago when clear with Outlaw Tom; this rejuvenated 10yo still has mileage in his mark and is firmly in calculations.

13/2

1st

9

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

15:40 Exeter

Genois

10st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Only 2-24 over fences but good to see him follow his Wetherby win on Boxing Day (2m3f, soft) with a similar performance in defeat the following month; does have his share of off days but couldn't rule him out.

3/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.80
Straight Forecast £9.93
Trifecta £30.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Leave Of Absence

POSTDATA:

Havaila

RP RATINGS:

Art Of Diplomacy

Telegraph:

Havaila

Daily Mail:

Havaila

The Star:

Havaila

WEST COUNTRY:

Leave Of Absence

The Times:

Leave Of Absence

The Guardian:

Leave Of Absence

D Express:

Leave Of Absence

The Sun:

Leave Of Absence

Daily Record:

Leave Of Absence

TOPSPEED:

Art Of Diplomacy

Daily Mirror:

Art Of Diplomacy