November 18 / 12.55 Ascot

12.55

Good To Soft

Racing Welfare Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9258.2
  • 2m 2f 175y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
SKY
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Racing Welfare Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75

Form: 1191-1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won four of his six hurdle starts last season, at up to 2m4f on soft/good to soft ground, and he made a winning chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) three weeks ago; he's up 7lb for last time but did it comfortably and could have plenty more left in the tank.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

21

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Thunder Rock

12st 0lb

J: Mr James King

T: Olly Murphy

Very talented in his prime; this 10yo isn't the force of old and today's race is much tougher than the hunter chases he's won easily on his last two starts (2m4f, good to soft/good) but if he can tap further into his back-class he may well be in the mix; James King has won this twice.

16/1

1st

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:15 Kempton

Thunder Rock

12st 6lb

J: Mr James King

T: Olly Murphy

Listed winner in his prime and has made a solid start to hunter chasing, namely a close second and easy success at Wincanton; should follow up.

1/10

1st

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:20 Wincanton

Thunder Rock

12st 6lb

J: Mr James King

T: Olly Murphy

Powers were on the decline when confined to hurdling last season but he was a classy chaser back in the day and nearly won his first hunter chase over 3m1f here a month ago (heavy); may need that longer trip now but strong claims otherwise.

Evs

OUR TIP

15/8

Form: 2367-1

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Had jumping issues last season after a promising start over fences (went very close over C&D) but he reappeared with a commanding win at Sandown (2m4f, soft) 12 days ago; also effective on good to soft ground; he'll be tough to beat under a 7lb penalty if repeating that recent form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:10 Kempton

Solo

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who appears to have regressed but heavy ground may have been too much at Sandown three weeks ago and prior to that he was a fair fourth at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); his two biggest wins have come at Kempton and he's one to consider now back here off a dangerous mark.

15/2

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

Form: 42362-

Last run: 218 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 4yo who has done all his racing on soft-heavy ground; runner-up in 4yo Listed chase at Auteuil (2m6f) in April when last seen and changed hands for 110,000euros in May; receives a valuable handy 4yo allowance on this British debut and he could be a key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

28th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:10 Cheltenham

Iamastar

11st 1lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Philip Hobbs

Placed a few times at Listed/Graded level over fences in France; remote last of three finishers at Ascot (2m3f) on British debut; that effort doesn't suggest a first chase win is imminent but some improvement looks possible, given his French form; tongue-tie/cheekpieces refitted.

33/1

3rd

5

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 2f 175y

Class 3

12:55 Ascot

Iamastar

10st 13lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Philip Hobbs

in touch with leaders, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, left in remote third 2 out

13/2

Form: 233P4- D

Last run: 224 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Unplaced on both chase starts in 2020 but showed aptitude; has improved over hurdles since, finishing fourth in a competitive handicap at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in April when last seen, and he has a 7lb lower mark to work with now back over fences; versatile ground-wise; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 2f 175y

Class 3

12:55 Ascot

Garry Clermont

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Unplaced on both chase starts in 2020 but showed aptitude; has improved over hurdles since, finishing fourth in a competitive handicap at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in April when last seen, and he has a 7lb lower mark to work with now back over fences; versatile ground-wise; could go well.

11/2

Form: /F110-

Last run: 224 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won two novice hurdles last winter (2m4f, heavy/soft) then finishing tailed off in Aintree Grade 1 in April when last seen (3m, good to soft; didn't settle); his trainer has high hopes for him over fences and this unexposed 6yo is an interesting candidate on on his chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

16:50 Fakenham

Bowtogreatness

12st 6lb

J: Mr Dale Peters

T: D Peters

Winless away from galloping tracks, but recorded some of his best RPRs in Graded chases around Kempton and the Mildmay Course; still capable of fairly useful form little more than a year ago, and right in the mix if racing more sparingly with the hood debuted latest quickly discarded.

2/1

1

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:50 Leicester

Bowtogreatness

12st 4lb

J: Mr Dale Peters

T: D Peters

Has made the frame in a couple of points this winter for new yard; fairly useful for previous stable and, accordingly, is one of the main players on ratings in this hunter chase debut; hood applied.

9/1

11

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Bowtogreatness

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

towards rear

14/1

Non-runners

Bowtogreatness

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.20
Straight Forecast £5.29
Trifecta £16.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Solo

The Times:

Garry Clermont

Telegraph:

Thunder Rock

The Sun:

Thunder Rock

Daily Record:

Thunder Rock

RP Ratings:

Solo

TOPSPEED:

Solo

POSTDATA:

Solo

WEST COUNTRY:

Solo

D Express:

Solo

Daily Mirror:

Solo

The Guardian:

Garry Clermont

Daily Mail:

Garry Clermont

The Star:

Garry Clermont