March 21 / 16.10 Newbury

16.10

Good To Soft

John Haine Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £11618.2
  • 2m 0f 92y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
SKY
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John Haine Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.20
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 5-1P3U D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Unseated rider at halfway on this course last month; in and out overall but he would have a chance on his clearcut reappearance success over this distance at Chepstow and drying ground would not inconvenience him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Palacio

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

He's had his ups and downs in a short chasing career and his jumping can lack fluency but he made it 2-5 in this sphere when making virtually all to win at Newbury (2m, good to soft) four weeks ago; won on soft ground over hurdles; major player if things click again today.

13/2

1st

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Palacio

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Unseated rider at halfway on this course last month; in and out overall but he would have a chance on his clearcut reappearance success over this distance at Chepstow and drying ground would not inconvenience him.

9/2

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 3

14:40 Newbury

Palacio

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Campaigned only at about 2m; has failed to back up the form of his Chepstow reappearance win and, contrary to parts of his pedigree, doesn't shape as if he's crying out for this new trip.

10/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: -2212P D BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Ran no sort of race at Sandown seven weeks ago but his previous four efforts had all been highly creditable, including a Haydock win (2m, soft; handles good) just before Christmas; no surprise if he bounces back for a yard in form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Escapeandevade

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Bounced back from an off day at Sandown to win a small-field Newbury event; this is tougher, but he is generally reliable.

14/1

2nd

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Escapeandevade

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Ran no sort of race at Sandown seven weeks ago but his previous four efforts had all been highly creditable, including a Haydock win (2m, soft; handles good) just before Christmas; no surprise if he bounces back for a yard in form.

5/2

5

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Escapeandevade

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

Acts on any ground; record of 2212 this term for new yard, most recently clear of the remainder when bidding for a Haydock double (2m); back on career-high mark but looks a solid contender in current form.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5552F2 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Almost as good as ever this season and he kept on well when 1l second of four over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago; a repeat of that form would see him go close, with a tongue-strap added for the first time in Britain, but a losing sequence is developing and he tends to make mistakes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Kotmask

10st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

His jumping has been an issue this season and he was soundly beaten at Newbury last time; however, two starts ago he was a close second of four there (2m, good to soft) and he has a good record at this track; might not be far away if finding some fluency.

4/1

3rd

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Kotmask

11st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Almost as good as ever this season and he kept on well when 1l second of four over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago; a repeat of that form would see him go close, with a tongue-strap added for the first time in Britain, but a losing sequence is developing and he tends to make mistakes.

7/4

2nd

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Kotmask

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Resurgent in first-time blinkers when second to an improver at Sandown in January (good; fine on soft) and fell midrace back there last time; it's surprising to see cheekpieces back on (beaten 10l in December when tried in them once before) but he has a big effort in him off this mark.

8/1

Form: 13-P2P D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 8-1137 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Made encouraging start over fences with convincing victory at Windsor (2m, good) on New Year's Day, and he followed up at Haydock (2m, good to soft) two weeks later; however, the wheels came off when he went up in grade for the Greatwood here three weeks ago, and he was beaten before stamina became a factor; 5lb higher than for his second win and needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

Koukeo

11st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won his first two chase starts in January (2m, good/good to soft) under Jonjo O'Neill, who is back on board today; disappointing at Newbury on his last two outings but the first was a tough assignment over 2m4f and he jumped badly last time; it wouldn't be a surprise to see him bounce back.

11/1

5th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Koukeo

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Made encouraging start over fences with convincing victory at Windsor (2m, good) on New Year's Day, and he followed up at Haydock (2m, good to soft) two weeks later; however, the wheels came off when he went up in grade for the Greatwood here three weeks ago, and he was beaten before stamina became a factor; 5lb higher than for his second win and needs to get back on track.

9/2

7th

11

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Koukeo

10st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Beaten favourite, albeit far from discredited, at Musselburgh last time when bidding to take his chase record (all over 2m) to 3-3; may still have more to offer and this return to further is worth a go (2m5f hurdles winner); steps up in class but receives weight all round; could go well.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.50
Straight Forecast £10.39
Trifecta £21.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Kotmask

SPOTLIGHT:

Escapeandevade

The Times:

Koukeo

TOPSPEED:

Kotmask

POSTDATA:

Kotmask

Telegraph:

Kotmask

Daily Mail:

Kotmask

D Express:

Kotmask

Daily Mirror:

Kotmask

The Star:

Kotmask

Daily Record:

Kotmask

LAMBOURN:

Escapeandevade

The Guardian:

Escapeandevade

The Sun:

Escapeandevade