July 10 / 14.05 Worcester

14.05

Good

Richard Newland Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4858.52
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 4 runners
SKY
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Richard Newland Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/11 (Won)

  • Win: £1.62

Form: 96-111 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
3-3 over fences since returned to racing under rules this season, winning easily on each occasion by a combined total of 62l; shooting up the weights, of course, but it's hard to tell when his rapid improvement will level off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Chief Black Robe

11st 12lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Difficult times since back from absence last June but he's dropped a long way in the weights and there have been some signs of life; non-stayer over the extended 3m3f at Stratford recently (Carpe Diem runner-up) but he didn't run badly and better is expected.

4/1

3rd

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Chief Black Robe

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Back with his former trainer on his last five starts; landed a four-timer for this yard in 2023; hasn't won since and has failed to complete on his last two starts; visor worn last time is left off; well handicapped if able to return to anywhere near his best form.

5/1

2

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:30 Hereford

Chief Black Robe

11st 12lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Needs to rebound quickly from a poor hurdle run 16 days ago but last month's second over fences at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) was a pretty good effort and the forecast faster ground here ought to suit him better; big player if first-time visor has desired effect.

9/2

Form: 6-321P BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Whipped round and effectively lost all chance at start of recent C&D event won by Tiger Orchid but opened chasing account at Huntingon (2m4f, good) two runs ago, despite not jumping particularly well, and still has scope to build on that performance if he behaves today; copes with good to soft ground but genuine soft ground probably wouldn't be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Hardy Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

4th

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Hardy Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

9th

9

29th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

15:40 Newbury

Hardy Boy

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Ready winner over 2m7f at Market Rasen in August and he ran at least as well in defeat at Cheltenham in October but he has his share of weight now and soft ground has not been helpful so far.

14/1

Form: 13-641 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Sometimes a rather hesitant jumper of hurdles but took well to fences and won by 5l over C&D (good) on chasing debut 12 days ago; obvious contender after that performance; raced mainly on good/good to firm ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

4th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:00 Uttoxeter

Tiger Orchid

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Four good efforts from as many starts for current connections, though once again wasn't quite able to convert a winning opportunity at Huntingdon latest (3m1f, good to firm); fair claims off an unchanged mark, and ought to cope with any rain.

11/4

3rd

6

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:30 Huntingdon

Tiger Orchid

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Without a win since summer 2024 and not getting any younger but runner-up three consecutive times (2m7f-3m1f; once over fences) for new stable towards end of last season; probably won't be far away.

15/2

OUR TIP

Form: 96P-35 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Scored off 5lb higher over hurdles here (2m7f, good) last summer but quickly went off the boil in the autumn and, following a break, is yet to hit top gear this year; has something to prove on today's chasing debut (not bred for this game) but won't mind if there's rain about.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

16th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:21 Market Rasen

Moon King

11st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Clare Hobson

Makes his stable debut on a reduced mark but his form for Charlie Longsdon went the wrong way this year and he has plenty to prove.

25/1

6th

1

(3)

30th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Ripon

Moon King

10st 1lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Charlie Longsdon

raced lazily, raced in last, pushed along before halfway, reminders 5f out, lost touch and tailed off from 4f out

20/1

0

4

7th Sep 2023

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:18 Southwell

Moon King

11st 10lb

J: Bradley Roberts

T: Charlie Longsdon

Now 10lb lower than when winning over hurdles last summer but was last of four on chasing debut in July, and his finishing effort over hurdles last month was disappointing; swaps blinkers for refitted visor here; needs to up his game.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.40
Straight Forecast £4.80
Trifecta £6.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Chief Black Robe

TOPSPEED:

Tiger Orchid

Telegraph:

Hardy Boy

RP RATINGS:

Chief Black Robe

WEST COUNTRY:

Chief Black Robe

The Times:

Chief Black Robe

The Guardian:

Chief Black Robe

D Express:

Chief Black Robe

Daily Mirror:

Chief Black Robe

The Sun:

Chief Black Robe

The Star:

Chief Black Robe

Daily Record:

Chief Black Robe

POSTDATA:

Tiger Orchid

Daily Mail:

Tiger Orchid