April 05 / 14.20 Wetherby

14.20

Heavy

Bet At racingtv.com Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 3m 0f 45y
  • Class 4
  • 5 runners
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Bet At racingtv.com Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

OUR TIP

Form: -31113 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Is enjoying an excellent season and completed a hat-trick at Catterick before posting a good third at Uttoxeter (3m) when undone by a few errors; this C&D winner is very much one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Val Dancer

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Last season was one to remember, winning the Welsh National and later second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; 0-4 this campaign but it's been anything but a washout and he should be dangerous off this mark, for all that he's made his name over further.

4/1

4th

4

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Val Dancer

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Won last season's Welsh National (extended 3m6f, soft) off 3lb lower and second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; near that form on second start this term, before a lesser show (weak in the market) in the Surrey National at Lingfield; needs to be back at his peak and there are mixed messages.

8/1

4th

4

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Val Dancer

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Bettered underwhelming seasonal debut when placed over the big Aintree fences (3m2f, soft) last month and remains only 4lb higher than when winning last season's Welsh National (3m6f, soft); high on the list.

6/1

Form: 13-23

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer/hurdler who has shaped well on both his runs over fences, staying-on third of six in 2m5f Carlisle handicap last month; that form has been franked so he merits serious consideration with this longer trip also a plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Choosethenews

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

in rear but in touch with leaders

4/1

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Choosethenews

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

in rear but in touch with leaders

4/1

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:40 Newcastle

Choosethenews

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won this last year (heavy) and good second here (2m7f, soft) in January; also effective on good ground; failed to stay 4m1f in the Eider here in February and could play a leading role now back down in distance.

7/2

Abandoned

Form: 3-7142 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Scored over fences at Southwell (3m) in January and got back on track in a first-time visor when second of five in 3m Doncaster handicap chase 33 days ago; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

Ernest Gray

10st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Did well in cheekpieces last year, winning at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May and Aintree (3m, good) in October; not so good behind Super Survivor here (good to soft) in December but a return to form today looks possible for in-form yard; place hopes.

8/1

6

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Ernest Gray

11st 7lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alan King

Won at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May in first-time cheekpieces (retained since); midfield at Market Rasen next time then runner-up back at Worcester (2m7f, good), albeit no match for the unexposed winner; also effective on soft/good to soft ground; might not be far away.

7/1

2nd

2

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Worcester

Ernest Gray

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Sound performances since having wind surgery and wearing cheekpieces, winning over C&D (good) in May then creditable fifth at Market Rasen; solid chance in the retained headgear.

5/1

Form: 412/ BF

Last run: 714 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Made into a fairly useful hurdler when last seen out in spring, 2022, landing a 2m5f Warwick novice; has a long absence to overcome but this winning pointer is no forlorn hope on his chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

30th Jun 2024

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

15:00 Uttoxeter

Flaming Ambition

10st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary Hanmer

Very lightly raced 7yo who made winning chase/handicap debut here (3m, soft) in April and ran well in defeat at Bangor (3m, good to soft) last month, despite again jumping right; probably still has potential but needs to take a good step forward to win this from 9lb out of the weights.

12/1

2nd

6

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

19:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Flaming Ambition

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary Hanmer

Very lightly raced 7yo who won a maiden hurdle in spring 2022 and returned from long layoff to score on last month's chase/handicap debut at Uttoxeter (3m, soft); recent 4lb rise does not look excessive, and he could still have significant potential.

5/1

2nd

6

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

19:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Flaming Ambition

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary Hanmer

Very lightly raced 7yo who won a maiden hurdle in spring 2022 and returned from long layoff to score on last month's chase/handicap debut at Uttoxeter (3m, soft); recent 4lb rise does not look excessive, and he could still have significant potential.

5/1

Form: 526244

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful ex-French bumper winner who made an encouraging start for this yard when fourth of six in 2m5f Carlisle handicap chase 29 days ago; he's not ruled out now his stamina is drawn out more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Verdict

None of these can be ruled out but the verdict goes to CHOOSETHENEWS (nap), who can build on his earlier chasing promise now he steps up in distance and add to his points/hurdling wins. Jacks Parrot also promises to be suited by this greater test of stamina and could emerge as the main danger ahead of in-form pair Val Dancer and Ernest Gray.[Peter Entwistle]