April 12 / 13.43 Ayr

13.43

Good To Soft

CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £25720
  • 3m 0f 20y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
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CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 212333

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Flat-bred gelding who hasn't convinced on two previous attempts at 3m, the latest a Grade 1 novice at Kempton in December; however, he rallied for third at Cheltenham (nearly 2m5f, soft) in January and kept on well when filling the same position in the Plate at the Festival (extended 2m4f, good to soft); worth another go at this trip and could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Masaccio

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Flat-bred gelding who hasn't convinced on two previous attempts at 3m, the latest a Grade 1 novice at Kempton in December; however, he rallied for third at Cheltenham (nearly 2m5f, soft) in January and kept on well when filling the same position in the Plate at the Festival (extended 2m4f, good to soft); worth another go at this trip and could have a part to play.

3/1

1st

1

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Masaccio

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

in touch with leaders

3/1

3rd

9

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Masaccio

11st 1lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Found immediate improvement for the switch to fences when winning on chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November; useful, persevering efforts in two good 2m4f races since, on that track and when third to Jagwar in a well-contested C&D handicap, and a truly run race kept to this trip will suit; has win possibilities if fitting cheekpieces brisks him up.

7/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 21F112 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive for new yard this season, winning three times (2m5f/3m, good/good to soft); came clear with one making it 2-2 in cheekpieces at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) four weeks ago and could be bang there once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Eyed

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

His chase form has been mixed this season but he faced a tough task from out of the handicap at the Cheltenham Festival (pulled up); runner-up at Kempton (2m5f) in November on last hurdle start and he was second over fences at this meeting 12 months ago (3m); might not be a forlorn hope today.

25/1

22

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Eyed

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Hughie Morrison

9yo who was progressive last season, winning three times (2m5f/3m, good/good to soft); he didn't run badly when fifth at Ascot (3m, soft) in January last time but is 9lb out of the handicap today, so faces a tough task.

66/1

5th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Eyed

11st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Hughie Morrison

Form dipped last time but otherwise a consistent sort and may rebound; however, looks considerably more exposed than some of these rivals and possibly has nothing in hand off current mark.

14/1

Form: -41725

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Untested at this trip under rules and below par at Sandown latest; however, he showed some good form in the winter, winning at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) and going close at Wetherby (2m3f, soft), and he won a 3m point in 2022; trainer has won two of the last five runnings; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Theformismighty

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Held on well to exploit reduced mark in Newcastle handicap (2m7f, heavy) in January but was quickly back in the doldrums when pulled up (albeit in valuable race) at Doncaster last month; this hunter chase debut is much less competitive but it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task.

11/2

13

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Theformismighty

10st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Exploited what was a very good mark at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) and the front two pulled clear; raised only 3lb for that but consistent he is not; others safer.

12/1

1st

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

Theformismighty

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Represents top southern stable and he's very well handicapped on last season's best form; could stage a revival at some point but he struggled in the autumn on his last three starts and there's also a stamina query.

8/1

Form: -F4210 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Form: P-112P BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Good-ground maiden hurdle winner who scored on his chase debut at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) in January before clear second to Eyed at Kempton (3m, good to soft); flopped at Kempton last time but has had wind surgery since and it will be no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Ideal Des Bordes

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Nicky Henderson

Made bright start to chasing career in early 2024, winning at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) before clear second at Kempton (3m, good to soft), but dropped out of contention worryingly quickly on final two starts last season (had wind op in between) and needs to prove his wellbeing.

12/1

5th

7

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Ideal Des Bordes

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Good-ground maiden hurdle winner who scored on his chase debut at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) in January before clear second to Eyed at Kempton (3m, good to soft); flopped at Kempton last time but has had wind surgery since and it will be no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.

10/1

5th

7

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Ideal Des Bordes

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

took keen hold, prominent, briefly led 2nd

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 32-352

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
0-3 over fences but has run well in defeat the last twice and this Grade 2 novice hurdle winner is open to further improvement in this discipline, for a top Irish trainer who won this 12 months ago; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Loughglynn

11st 11lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

0-3 over fences but has run well in defeat the last twice and this Grade 2 novice hurdle winner is open to further improvement in this discipline, for a top Irish trainer who won this 12 months ago; respected.

7/2

2

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Loughglynn

11st 11lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

took keen hold, prominent

7/2

2nd

6

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 150y

13:55 Punchestown

Loughglynn

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Two wins over hurdles, including a Grade 2 novice over 2m7f at Limerick, rated 140; satisfactory third on chase debut at this venue, 10l behind stablemate High Class Hero; unlikely to reverse that form in view of his failure to make the frame at Navan.

4/1

Form: 2-F220

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Has finished second a lot more often than he's won and he was soundly beaten at Cheltenham last month; however, he went there on the back of creditable second placings at Exeter (2m3f, soft) and Newbury (2m7f, soft); also effective on good ground; could be in the mix now back in calmer waters.
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

Non-runners

Whistle Stop Tour

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.90
Straight Forecast £40.33
Tricast £254.50
Trifecta £247.60

Selections

Telegraph:

Eyed

The Times:

Loughglynn

WEST COUNTRY:

Pic Roc

TOPSPEED:

Theformismighty

RP RATINGS:

Masaccio

SPOTLIGHT:

Whistle Stop Tour

Daily Mirror:

Pic Roc

The Guardian:

Loughglynn

D Express:

Loughglynn

Daily Mail:

Eyed

The Star:

Eyed

Daily Record:

Eyed

POSTDATA:

Theformismighty

The Sun:

Masaccio