January 27 / 15.35 Newcastle

15.35

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6178.77
  • 2m 7f 91y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Snow showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £3.50

Form: 3-P46P

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
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.
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

11/2

  • Place: £2.60

Form: P39-28 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent over hurdles last season and tailed off at Ayr (2m4f, soft) this month on second chase start; however, he made a bad early mistake and prior to that he was a promising second on his chase/seasonal debut at Kelso (2m7f, soft); won here over hurdles; could bounce back with big effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Young Jack

10st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Runner-up on three of his first four chase starts (2m7f/2m5f, soft/heavy) before winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) last month; it was a small field last time and he's in a hotter race today, but he did it nicely and could have more to offer in the cheekpieces, which he's worn just twice.

14/1

1st

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Young Jack

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Chris Grant

Sound efforts on three of his four starts this term, last time finishing runner-up over 2m5f here (heavy; cheekpieces first time); headgear retained and a possible back up in trip.

11/8

2nd

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

Young Jack

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Course hurdles winner who was runner-up on chase debut here (2m7f, soft) in December and bounced back from Ayr flop to go close at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) last time; he has an up-and-down profile but he's a key player if once more on a going day; wears first-time cheekpieces.

4/1

Form: 13-3U4 CD

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
11yo who hasn't been at his very best this term but took step back in the right direction when fourth at Wetherby (3m, soft) last month; runs off the same mark as when winning this last year (soft) and not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

If Not For Dylan

11st 4lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Thorough stayer who made all at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February and rebounded from a lesser effort when third at Perth (3m, good) last month; has never run here before but is sure to be suited by this move back up in trip.

6/1

3rd

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

If Not For Dylan

10st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Disappointing at Haydock last time (3m1f, good) but successful at Doncaster before that (3m, good to soft); each-way chance.

9/1

7th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

If Not For Dylan

11st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Veteran who retains enthusiasm, and he jumped well and made all at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February, but he's back up 6lb and probably in a stronger race here.

6/1

Form: 17/720 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won this in 2024 (heavy) and he was a promising second at Carlisle (3m, soft) in November 2025 on his second start back from a long absence; tailed off at Haydock since but he was 7lb out of the handicap and made a bad mistake mid-race; he's one to consider now back down in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

Fenland Tiger

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won this in 2024 (heavy) and he was a promising second at Carlisle (3m, soft) in November 2025 on his second start back from a long absence; tailed off at Haydock since but he was 7lb out of the handicap and made a bad mistake mid-race; he's one to consider now back down in grade.

4/1

Form: 16-134 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-3 at Wetherby (3m, soft) when winning on chase debut in November; ran well for a very long way when third here (3m6f, good to soft) next time; a bit disappointing at Market Rasen (3m3f, good to soft) since but in the mix if rediscovering the promise of his first two chase starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

The Big Breac

10st 12lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Made it 3-3 at Wetherby (3m, soft) when winning on chase debut in November; ran well for a very long way when third here (3m6f, good to soft) next time; a bit disappointing at Market Rasen (3m3f, good to soft) since but in the mix if rediscovering the promise of his first two chase starts.

9/4

6th

6

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

The Big Breac

11st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

prominent

9/4

1st

6

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

15:15 Wetherby

The Big Breac

11st 4lb

J: Jack Power

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

No match for the winner at Hexham (2m7f, soft) on handicap debut but kept boxing on to regain second; went one better under Jack Power in another 16-runner race over C&D (good to soft) four weeks ago, looking suited by every yard, so he's firmly in calculations despite 3lb rise.

3/1

Form: P2P-56 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Close second over 4m at Hexham last March and now 2lb lower; capable if on a going day but they've become scarce in the last two seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Hexham

Shighness

12st 0lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Hasn't won for a couple of years and that was over fences, but she shaped encouragingly reverting to hurdles when third at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) in February, albeit beaten nearly 19l, and has fallen back over fences since; however, she's on a handy mark and is hard to dismiss.

15/2

7

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Shighness

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

She's struggled to get competitive since finishing a close second in this last year (good to soft) but is 7lb lower this time around and didn't run badly over hurdles at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) last month; not written off.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3/2P-P C

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 12lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
12yo who needs to prove how much ability he retains; however, he's well handicapped on his best 2024 efforts and he may have needed the run at Aintree three months ago following an absence (pulled up); not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Marown

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

12yo who is without a win since 2021 and is going beyond 3m1f for the first time; however, having dropped down the weights, he took a step back in the right direction when third over Carlisle's stiff 3m recently and his trainer does very well with veterans; not discounted.

14/1

3rd

5

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Marown

11st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Remains without a victory since 2021 and he's been pulled up on his last three runs, most recently in 2m7f Newcastle handicap in January; he's not easy to make a case for.

14/1

2

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

Marown

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

12yo who needs to prove how much ability he retains; however, he's well handicapped on his best 2024 efforts and he may have needed the run at Aintree three months ago following an absence (pulled up); not written off.

8/1

Non-runners

Rattling Road

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.80
Straight Forecast £38.67
Tricast £175.70
Trifecta £146.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

The Big Breac

The Guardian:

If Not For Dylan

SPOTLIGHT:

Fenland Tiger

TOPSPEED:

Young Jack

The Times:

Rattling Road

Telegraph:

Theformismighty

Daily Mirror:

Marown

POSTDATA:

The Big Breac

D Express:

The Big Breac

The Star:

The Big Breac

Daily Record:

The Big Breac

THE NORTH:

Fenland Tiger

Daily Mail:

If Not For Dylan

The Sun:

If Not For Dylan