February 17 / 15.55 Newbury

15.55

Conference & Events At Newbury Racecourse Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • 2m 7f 91y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Conference & Events At Newbury Racecourse Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface:

Weather:

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 4F-234 BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
A little below his best when a 14l fourth at Windsor (2m6f, soft) but still ran fine and commands considerable respect on his previous runs, over 2m4f at Southwell (soft) and 3m1f at Cheltenham (good to soft); only a 7yo and still early days over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

As The Fella Says

10st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

Improved for going chasing this season, winning 3m Newbury handicap and better again when clear second at Uttoxeter over same trip, both on soft ground; potentially still well-handicapped and could go well if handling better ground.

7/1

2nd

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Uttoxeter

As The Fella Says

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Broadly in good form since switched to chasing and comfortably justified favouritism at Newbury (2m7f, soft) most recently, opening his rules account; may build on that success and show further improvement.

11/4

1st

9

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

As The Fella Says

10st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

A little below his best when a 14l fourth at Windsor (2m6f, soft) but still ran fine and commands considerable respect on his previous runs, over 2m4f at Southwell (soft) and 3m1f at Cheltenham (good to soft); only a 7yo and still early days over fences.

15/2

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 63-481 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Prolific winner over hurdles; it was in a lower grade when getting off the mark over fences at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) but that was fairly comfortable and it was his first time in cheekpieces; off 5lb higher he can make his presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

Major Fortune

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Prolific winner over hurdles; just as good over fences and holding his form well, beaten off only on run-in when second at Leicester (2m6f; stays 3m1f well) four weeks ago; handles any ground; leading contender.

9/2

2nd

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

14:30 Leicester

Major Fortune

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Prolific winner over hurdles; off the mark over fences at the seventh attempt at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) when fitted with first-time cheekpieces in January, and matched that level when runner-up at Newbury the following month; can make his presence felt again but he's never won off a mark this high.

2/1

2nd

5

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Major Fortune

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Prolific winner over hurdles; it was in a lower grade when getting off the mark over fences at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) but that was fairly comfortable and it was his first time in cheekpieces; off 5lb higher he can make his presence felt.

3/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: F5-432

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Not overly consistent and can make mistakes; however, ran well for a very long way on testing ground at Exeter before no match for an unexposed winner over C&D; could give another good account of himself.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:52 Newton Abbot

Sheldon

11st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Infrequent winner, but running well since the turn of the year and his recent Newbury second (2m6f, good to soft) was solid; nudged up 1lb for that but he remains on a workable mark and is high on the list of dangers.

3/1

2nd

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 4

16:07 Newbury

Sheldon

11st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Seamus Mullins

Not overly consistent and can make mistakes, as was the case when the clear leader for a long way over 2m7f here a month ago (soft; fine on good to soft); that was a good run all things considered and won't mind coming back in distance.

12/1

3rd

8

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Sheldon

10st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Seamus Mullins

Not overly consistent and can make mistakes; however, ran well for a very long way on testing ground at Exeter before no match for an unexposed winner over C&D; could give another good account of himself.

12/1

Form: 112-13 BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
All good since the cheekpieces went on, winning three times (2m3f-2m5f, good to soft/soft); kept on well for third off today's mark at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) last month and returning to further looks the right move.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:45 Taunton

Good Friday Fairy

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Ben Clarke

Resumed with victory at Exeter (2m3f) in November and in good form until pulled up in 2m3f handicap chase at Fontwell ten days ago; this course winner is the sort to bounce back in a change of headgear, though.

9/2

1

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

14:35 Fontwell

Good Friday Fairy

12st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Ben Clarke

Did well for cheekpieces going on last year, winning three times at 2m3f-2m5f, latterly off 3lb lower, and going a stone and a half up the weights; 2m7f looked to find him out at Newbury last month and this is less competitive back down in trip; holds decent claims.

5/2

4th

3

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Good Friday Fairy

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Ben Clarke

All good since the cheekpieces went on, winning three times (2m3f-2m5f, good to soft/soft); kept on well for third off today's mark at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) last month and returning to further looks the right move.

13/2

Form: 2-3120 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won at Warwick in December (3m, soft) and then close up in a small field over 3m4f at Haydock (good to soft); failed to fire over that far at Windsor a month ago but this mark isn't beyond him if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

Jupiter Des Bordes

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Looks an out-and-out stayer; ground out victory at Warwick (3m, soft) in December and ran well over 3m4f here next time, but he was well below par on latest start and others appeal more.

14/1

5th

6

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

Jupiter Des Bordes

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Below par the last twice but his December form, namely a game success at Warwick (3m) and close second over 3m4f at Haydock, suggests he's an ideal type for this assignment; interesting back here.

6/1

5th

6

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Jupiter Des Bordes

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Won at Warwick in December (3m, soft) and then close up in a small field over 3m4f at Haydock (good to soft); failed to fire over that far at Windsor a month ago but this mark isn't beyond him if back on song.

25/1

Form: 3122-3 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Last season's solid run of form included a second over C&D; made an excellent return to action when only 2l off the winner over 3m4f at Windsor last month; up 2lb but firmly in the mix.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 56-U57 C

Last run: 59 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on his old chase form but this is a belated return to fences and recent hurdling exploits leave him with much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

16:00 Ffos Las

Saint Palais

11st 12lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

4-7 over fences but ended 2025 with two disappointing hurdle runs and made very underwhelming return to chasing when seventh of eight at Newbury (2m7f, soft) in February; needs to turn things around.

14/1

7th

1

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Saint Palais

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Well handicapped on his old chase form but this is a belated return to fences and recent hurdling exploits leave him with much to prove.

25/1

Form: P-F41U D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Back to form when winning for a third time over fences in a 3m handicap at Warwick (good to soft) and would have won easier had he not idled late on; unseated midrace off this 4lb higher mark at Leicester three weeks later; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Happy And Fine

12st 1lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Warwick (3m, good to soft) in December but he's failed to complete in three subsequent runs and didn't get very far at Stratford (unseated at first) two weeks ago; only 2lb lower than for his last success but he comes with risks attached.

12/1

3

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Happy And Fine

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Warwick (3m) in December but he isn't the easiest to catch right and was pulled up in 2m7f handicap at Newbury last time; others are preferred.

10/1

4

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Happy And Fine

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Back to form when winning for a third time over fences in a 3m handicap at Warwick (good to soft) and would have won easier had he not idled late on; unseated midrace off this 4lb higher mark at Leicester three weeks later; respected.

10/1

Non-runners

Brave Kingdom

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.70
Straight Forecast £11.64
Tricast £61.11
Trifecta £80.10

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Major Fortune

SPOTLIGHT:

As The Fella Says

RP RATINGS:

Havaila

POSTDATA:

Brave Kingdom

Daily Mail:

Good Friday Fairy

LAMBOURN:

As The Fella Says

Telegraph:

As The Fella Says

The Star:

Havaila

The Times:

Major Fortune

The Guardian:

Major Fortune

D Express:

Major Fortune

The Sun:

Major Fortune

Daily Record:

Major Fortune

Daily Mirror:

Brave Kingdom