March 09 / 14.50 Stratford

14.50

Soft

DragonBet The Roar Before BOG @ Cheltenham Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4779.3
  • 2m 0f 213y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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DragonBet The Roar Before BOG @ Cheltenham Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1U6633 D

Last run: 87 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Landed his third chase success when winning at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) in August off a 2lb higher mark; well held since, including a couple of spins over hurdles, and it could be that a return to fences brings out the best in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell

Harel Du Marais

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Resumed winning ways over fences at Stratford (2m1f) in March but below par both runs since, beating just one in 2m4f Warwick handicap chase last month; needs to take a big step forward back in this sphere.

14/1

7th

3

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Harel Du Marais

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Landed his fourth win over fences at Stratford in March (2m1f, soft) but his Huntingdon third was remote and some inconsistency has crept in.

10/1

3rd

4

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

17:25 Huntingdon

Harel Du Marais

11st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Back to his best after a three-month break when landing his fourth win over fences at Stratford (2m1f, soft) last month; up 5lb but recorded back-to-back victories around this time last year so not to be taken lightly.

5/2

Form: 32-U3

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two Irish points in 2024 and yet to get his head in front under rules; shaped better when dropped in trip and third of five finishers on his second start over fences at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last month but it remains to be seen if this even shorter trip is the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

17:42 Ffos Las

Gaelic Rambler

11st 9lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Low-mileage 6yo who unseated rider on chase/handicap debut in January but has made the frame on all three starts since; form of last month's Wetherby second (1m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces) has recently been franked by the winner, and this fellow ought to be suited by this move back up in trip; contender.

4/1

2nd

3

27th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 36y

Class 4

15:50 Wetherby

Gaelic Rambler

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Low-mileage maiden who has broadly consistent form figures; clear second at Stratford (2m1f) most recently; possibilities dropped further in distance, provided he takes well to added cheekpieces.

7/4

2nd

4

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Gaelic Rambler

11st 7lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Runner-up in two Irish points in 2024 and yet to get his head in front under rules; shaped better when dropped in trip and third of five finishers on his second start over fences at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last month but it remains to be seen if this even shorter trip is the answer.

11/4

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2-3173 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Landed his fourth success over hurdles at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) in December but yet to get off the mark in this sphere after seven attempts; beaten 30l when third of four finishers at Plumpton (2m1f, soft) four weeks ago; has had wind surgery since and needs to step up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Non Stop

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Landed his fourth success over hurdles at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) in December but yet to get off the mark in this sphere after seven attempts; beaten 30l when third of four finishers at Plumpton (2m1f, soft) four weeks ago; has had wind surgery since and needs to step up.

7/2

3rd

1

9th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 219y

Class 4

15:15 Plumpton

Non Stop

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Beaten 10l off this mark in an Ascot handicap hurdle last time after his win in a first-time tongue-tie at Wincanton (good to soft; won on heavy); returns to fences in pretty good form and he's finished runner-up three times in this discipline; thereabouts.

7/2

2nd

6

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

15:50 Stratford

Non Stop

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

in touch with leaders, jumped left and lost ground 2nd, headway when hit 2 out

2/1

Form: -18544 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Scored over hurdles in May but hasn't finished in front of a rival in three starts over fences; his handicap mark continues to plummet and no surprise were his top yard find the key at some point.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

19:00 Newton Abbot

Cobblers Boy

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

By no means an instant success over fences but came good in a small field here last week (good); returns to hurdles off the very same mark and he did win a maiden in this discipline.

5/4

1st

2

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:15 Newton Abbot

Cobblers Boy

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Good-ground 2m maiden hurdle winner a year ago and he's looked a work in progress since switching to fences last season; latest 5l fourth at Ascot (2m1f, good) returned to better ground was encouraging though and he's come a long way down the weights; needs to build on that and not of of this if doing so.

2/1

4th

5

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 3

15:40 Ascot

Cobblers Boy

10st 13lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

It's been a ropey start over fences (last four races) but he could be happy to get away from soft ground, having won his maiden hurdle on good; better can be expected but he's risky.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 12-74P D

Last run: 232 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Horse

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won twice for Dan Skelton but showed little for current yard in three starts last year; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

19:50 Stratford

In This World

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for the Skeltons; showed his best form for his current yard when fifth of eight at Warwick (2m, good) 26 days ago; his mark continues to drop and he should find another opening at some point.

7/1

5th

5

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Warwick

In This World

11st 7lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for Dan Skelton but opposable on what he's shown in last four races, all handicaps divided between hurdles and fences.

20/1

5th

2

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

In This World

11st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for Dan Skelton but showed little for current yard in three starts last year; hard to fancy.

25/1

Form: 52-638 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 1lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over fences but last success was three years ago; his mark continues to fall but he doesn't look ready to take advantage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Grey Diamond

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Dual winner over fences but last success was three years ago; his mark continues to fall but he doesn't look ready to take advantage.

12/1

8th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Grey Diamond

10st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner whose mark continues to fall and he was an encouraging third at Bangor in November following a break; however, this inconsistent 12yo is winless since March 2023 and others arrive with more pressing claims.

25/1

Form: 413-P2 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 12st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences); showed he was no back number when second of four in returning cheekpieces (left off here) at Leicester (2m, soft) 13 days ago; should run his race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Xcitations

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences) and he showed he was no back number when second of four at Leicester (2m, soft; handles good) in February; took the wrong course last time; has form here and should be thereabouts.

7/1

1

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Xcitations

12st 1lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences); showed he was no back number when second of four in returning cheekpieces (left off here) at Leicester (2m, soft) 13 days ago; should run his race.

9/4

2nd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Xcitations

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Veteran who achieved nothing at Uttoxeter on reappearance but may be back in better form with that outing under his belt; gained last three wins at Sandown but he's 1-1 at Leicester.

4/1

Form: 00/3/P

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won a French bumper in 2021 but has been rarely seen since and best effort in Britain came when making a promising start for this stable, finishing an 11.5l third of eight at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) in February 2024 after an absence; pulled up following another lengthy break at Ludlow in January and makes chasing/handicap debut; seemingly not easy to train but a market watch is advised.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Ironica De Thaix

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Lightly raced 8yo who has been pulled up on his last three outings, cheekpieces tried in 2m Warwick handicap chase 23 days ago; hard to warm to.

25/1

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:00 Warwick

Ironica De Thaix

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Confined to five races since winning a French bumper in 2021; encouraging third in a maiden hurdle on stable debut but pulled up in another next time and suffered same fate on chasing/handicap debut; now has much to prove, but he's down in grade with cheekpieces added and in a good yard.

25/1

8

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Ironica De Thaix

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won a French bumper in 2021 but has been rarely seen since and best effort in Britain came when making a promising start for this stable, finishing an 11.5l third of eight at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) in February 2024 after an absence; pulled up following another lengthy break at Ludlow in January and makes chasing/handicap debut; seemingly not easy to train but a market watch is advised.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.20
Straight Forecast £16.50
Tricast £37.02
Trifecta £64.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Xcitations

The Guardian:

Gaelic Rambler

Daily Mail:

Non Stop

POSTDATA:

Cobbler's Boy

TOPSPEED:

Harel Du Marais

RP RATINGS:

Grey Diamond

The Sun:

Gaelic Rambler

The Star:

Gaelic Rambler

D Express:

Non Stop

The Times:

Xcitations

Telegraph:

Xcitations

Daily Mirror:

Xcitations

Daily Record:

Xcitations