November 04 / 14.02 Warwick

14.02

Good

Stan Mellor Memorial ‘Chasing Excellence’ Beginners’ Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9505.8
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 2 runners
RTV
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Stan Mellor Memorial ‘Chasing Excellence’ Beginners’ Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 2 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 5111P- D

Last run: 195 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Progressive novice hurdler last season until seeming a non-stayer over 3m in warm Listed event on final start; front-runner who is suited by sharp tracks and warrants respect in this ideal scenario on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 2

16:40 Sandown

Go West

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Didn't jump well enough when well beaten in Kempton Grade 2 novice in February last time but had doubled his chasing tally with ready success at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks earlier, and will be dangerous if back in similar form.

7/2

4th

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

14:25 Kempton

Go West

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

5-9 over jumps; posted a personal best when winning novice handicap at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago, seeing off several challengers from four out; goes well with positive tactics; should be involved again.

11/4

1st

2

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:25 Musselburgh

Go West

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Form dipped last time (unable to lead) but otherwise a largely progressive sort; penultimate effort has been boosted by the winner since; may well rebound, especially if he returns to dominating (all wins from the front); shortlisted.

4/1

Form: 19P8-8 C BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery prior to disappointing reappearance effort in Chepstow handicap hurdle that he'd won 12 months earlier; may rebound with the outing under his belt and he is 1-1 at Warwick; switches to fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Josh The Boss

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Novice chaser who has several pieces of sound form at up to 2m4f this season, including a second at Aintree; however, below that level in major handicaps in two of his last three starts, seeming a non-stayer at Doncaster (soft) in the sole 3m attempt; stamina to prove back up in trip.

16/1

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Josh The Boss

10st 12lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Fairly useful novice chaser who scored easily at Doncaster in November and has performed creditably off current mark twice since, albeit failed to justify favouritism when sent up to Newcastle (2m4f) last time; goes into deeper waters at this level.

11/1

2nd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Josh The Boss

11st 6lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Always ridden by Jamie Neild; walked over on his second chase assignment and easily made all in four-runner handicap at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) in November; another big run from the front when second of five at Aintree (2m4f) next time, before his first attempt at 3m did not work out in a Grade 3 handicap four weeks ago; he should be of renewed interest back at 2m4f.

4/1

Non-runners

Deep Purple, Jipcot, Silver Thorn

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Go West

TOPSPEED:

Deep Purple

The Guardian:

Josh The Boss

The Star:

Jipcot

POSTDATA:

Deep Purple

Daily Mirror:

Deep Purple

Daily Mail:

Josh The Boss

WEST COUNTRY:

Go West

The Times:

Go West

Telegraph:

Go West

D Express:

Go West

The Sun:

Go West

Daily Record:

Go West