March 01 / 15.00 Newbury

15.00

Soft

Focus Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 3f 187y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
SKY
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Focus Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50

Form: -33223

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Ran creditably at Carlisle (2m, soft) last month, taking chase form figures to 333223; no match for Issar d'Airy here (2m) the time before but combination of 14lb pull and longer distance could prompt a different result; first success over fences is not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Martator

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Ascot specialist who was second there in November off today's mark and he was in contention when unseating five out at Sandown in January; however, good runs were scarce in 2025 and he's been soundly beaten on all four visits here; tenth in this last year; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

50/1

3

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Martator

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has lacked consistency since completing a five-timer in 2024; best effort this term when second at Ascot on penultimate start; on last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form.

12/1

Form: P32141 C

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Successful in lower grade at Warwick (2m4f, soft) most recently, taking chase record to 2-3; now 5lb higher back in stiffer company and was well behind Passing Well here two starts ago; however, can't rule out further improvement in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Ballycamus

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Rather in and out, and followed a Ludlow win (3m, good to soft) in December with a listless fourth over the same C&D three weeks ago; needs first-time headgear to inject some sparkle.

6/1

4th

2

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Ballycamus

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned to form with hard-fought C&D (good to soft) win in December, his second C&D success, and was nudged up only 1lb for that; obvious contender if in similar mood again.

3/1

16

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Ballycamus

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Went up 5lb for winning a 3m handicap that fell apart at Ludlow (good to soft) in February and that was under a 3lb claimer; probably has no margin for error off this mark and that spells danger in this warm a race; that said, his Chepstow run after a break was encouraging.

12/1

Form: 2121-P D

Last run: 140 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Had an excuse (found to have irregular heartbeat) on sole run this season, namely chase debut 140 days ago; progressive otherwise under rules and showed promise in points; remains of interest, particularly if the market signals are positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Ioupy Collonges

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has won two of his six chase starts but was beaten off this mark in a six-runner handicap at Wincanton last time when in the new cheekpieces (3m1f, heavy); unraced beyond that trip but he's one who doesn't do much in a hurry and today's marathon trip could be up his street.

16/1

2nd

3

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

14:55 Wincanton

Ioupy Collonges

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Strike-rate of 5-10 under rules and has won two of his last three chases; it wasn't pretty here last time over C&D (good to soft) but he got the job done off just 3lb lower and today's slower surface could benefit him; cheekpieces added.

11/4

2nd

3

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

14:55 Wincanton

Ioupy Collonges

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Strike-rate of 5-10 under rules and has won two of his last three chases; it wasn't pretty here last time over C&D (good to soft) but he got the job done off just 3lb lower and today's slower surface could benefit him; cheekpieces added.

11/4

Form: 4-2135 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Below par over 3m last time but has solid form at 2m3f-2m6f otherwise over fences, including Lingfield success; close third, behind subsequent Grade 2 scorer, at this course (soft) on penultimate outing; clear possibilities off 1lb lower back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

13

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Passing Well

10st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Only 1-10 as a chaser but he's a consistent gelding who ran another solid race to finish third in the Eider, albeit about 20l behind the easy winner Knockanore; likely to give his running once more but looks vulnerable off just 1lb lower.

16/1

3rd

7

22nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:10 Newcastle

Passing Well

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

towards rear, headway on outer 19th, went fourth and no impression 3 out, left in third run-in

9/1

2nd

5

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Passing Well

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Acts on soft, below form sole start on heavy; won over these fences in November 2023; no joy since but career-best form this season and he stuck to his task very well with the first-time cheekpieces over the extended 3m1f at Wincanton on latest start; going beyond that now looks worth a go.

7/1

Non-runners

Issar dAiry

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.60
Straight Forecast £11.53
Trifecta £15.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Issar d'Airy

LAMBOURN:

Passing Well

TOPSPEED:

Martator

WEST COUNTRY:

Ioupy Collonges

Telegraph:

Ballycamus

RP RATINGS:

Issar d'Airy

The Times:

Issar d'Airy

The Guardian:

Issar d'Airy

Daily Mail:

Issar d'Airy

Daily Mirror:

Issar d'Airy

The Sun:

Issar d'Airy

The Star:

Issar d'Airy

Daily Record:

Issar d'Airy

D Express:

Passing Well

POSTDATA:

Martator