November 12 / 14.12 Uttoxeter

14.12

Good To Soft

Hobgoblin Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £9693.88
  • 3m 2f 13y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Hobgoblin Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 332-11 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Has been transformed by the switch to chasing, recording wins in both starts over fences in fine style, latterly here (3m, good) last month; 13lb higher mark than for that win and has longer trip and prospect of softer ground to cope with, but good chance he has not reached the ceiling of his ability; looks the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Tea For Free

11st 12lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Strong stayer who was 4-4 over fences before falling in a valauble handicap chase at Doncaster 14 months ago when running well; on a potentially good mark for this return to hurdling but fully entitled to need this after his period on the sidelines and returning to fences is presumably on the agenda.

25/1

7

28th Jan 2023

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Tea For Free

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Made it 4-4 over fences (2m6f-3m2f, good/soft) and under Lilly Pinchin when scoring at Newbury on New Year's Eve; 7lb higher today in a tougher race but he won in convincing fashion last time and could still be ahead of the handicapper; firmly in calculations.

9/2

1st

6

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 3

15:35 Newbury

Tea For Free

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Transformed by the switch to chasing, winning on all three attempts; they were on good ground under Lilly Pinchin, in good style over about 3m on first two occasions and having to work harder to assert over 3m2f at Uttoxeter on latest; raised another 6lb, which demands better still but it's the probably much more testing ground which poses the big question.

6/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 653-42 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Returning from a break and having only his second start over fences when just a fair second of four over 3m2f at Newton Abbot (good) last month; still has a bit to learn about jumping fences and may get found out in that respect against more experienced opposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:47 Chepstow

Bells Of Peterboro

12st 2lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Not one to rely upon heavily and doesn't always look wildly enthusiastic but didn't run badly when fourth at Uttoxeter (3m heavy) last month and this track suits him well; on a good mark; can't be ruled out.

14/1

7th

6

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Bells Of Peterboro

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tim Vaughan

Best run during a fairly light campaign last season when second to progressive rival at Lingfield (2m7f, heavy) in February; contender if judged on that and Sean Bowen is booked today but this 10yo has not been seen since a lesser effort in March and he's too inconsistent to rely upon.

7/1

7th

6

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Bells Of Peterboro

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tim Vaughan

Best run during a fairly light campaign last season when second to progressive rival at Lingfield (2m7f, heavy) in February; contender if judged on that and Sean Bowen is booked today but this 10yo has not been seen since a lesser effort in March and he's too inconsistent to rely upon.

7/1

OUR TIP

7/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: /7F22- BF

Last run: 235 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Only 1-16 over fences but capable in this sphere as he showed when runner-up on his last two starts, both over 3m6f, at Exeter (soft/good to soft): drop back in distance not too big a concern but he remains vulnerable to better-treated rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

10th Jan 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

15:15 Exeter

Classic Ben

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Bang there when falling three out in this 12 months ago (on soft) and was runner-up in his next two starts, both here; returns on the back of a similar preparation, though this season's return offered greater encouragement than the one last year; big player; has run well on heavy.

11/2

3rd

1

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

3m 2f 13y

Class 3

14:12 Uttoxeter

Classic Ben

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

disputed lead, prominent from 2nd, led before 9th, shaken up before 17th, pushed along when headed before 2 out, ridden and weakened gradually run-in

7/1

Form: 1115-4 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Winner of five hurdle races last season; respectable fourth of seven on his chasing debut/seasonal reappearance at Worcester (2m7f, good) last month; longer distance of this race should play to his strengths but he has little experience of jumping fences to fall back on and this looks competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

In Rem

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Five-time hurdle winner but much less prolific as a chaser, and seemingly on the downgrade now; fell at first fence when tried in blinkers this month; usual cheekpieces are refitted here; others have more pressing claims.

33/1

17

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

In Rem

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Five-time hurdle winner but much less prolific as a chaser, and seemingly on the downgrade now; fell at first fence when tried in blinkers this month; usual cheekpieces are refitted here; others have more pressing claims.

33/1

1

16th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Worcester

In Rem

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Sole chase win came over 3m at Exeter (heavy; from 12lb higher) on New Year's Day 2023; weakened, finishing down the field (beaten 27l) on recent Warwick seasonal reappearance; now dropping in trip, into a Class 5 in newly applied blinkers.

14/1

Form: 3P1-14 D BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Back-to-back good-ground wins over 3m1f (Plumpton) and 3m5f (Fakenham) in the spring but well held on his seasonal reappearance at the latter venue last month; might have needed that first run for 164 days and he wouldn't be one to write off on the back of one slightly disappointing display.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

No longer the force of old and inconsistent nowadays but he capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) three weeks ago and he is also very well suited by this track.

15/8

1st

3

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Tommie Beau

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Gained three of his 14 wins here, including 2022 edition of this race, but has regressed and become inconsistent; didn't run badly in last month's Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces) but younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

14/1

6th

4

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Tommie Beau

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Seamus Mullins

He's won here three times and was second in this race in 2024 on his last Plumpton visit; on a reduced mark but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive on his last few starts and needs to turn things around in first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

28/1

Form: 3P17-8 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who likes to race prominently; down the field on recent seasonal reappearance at Worcester (2m4f, soft) but that was over an inadequate distance and this trip is more suitable; not much wriggle room off current mark so others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

14:10 Hereford

Volcano

11st 12lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Sheila Lewis

Has gained most wins at Warwick, the last three over 3m5f; best effort this term came over same distance in cross-country race at Cheltenham; drops back in grade off a workable mark but this doesn't look an ideal scenario; 0-4 at Hereford.

11/4

0

14

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 1

15:00 Warwick

Volcano

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Sheila Lewis

Often front-runs; Warwick specialist with five wins from six appearances and two of those wins were over 3m5f (one on soft); the defeat, however, came in this race last year (heavy) when beaten 16l in a respectable fifth; best to forgive this season (way out of the weights on Cheltenham cross-country on last two starts) but 2lb wrong today and this task looks a bit too tough.

16/1

Form: P2PP5/

Last run: 583 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner when trained by Dan Skelton; only mild promise in four runs over fences and starts out for another yard following a 583-days layoff; it would be some training performance if he were to overcome those factors.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

7th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:15 Market Rasen

Diomede Des Mottes

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

took keen hold, raced in second, pressed leader before 11th, led 12th, ridden and headed before 4 out

14/1

5

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:07 Uttoxeter

Diomede Des Mottes

11st 9lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland

Not beaten that far when seventh here (3m2f) on stable debut in November and has become very well handicapped on older form, but fell when last in action and his current ability is tricky to assess.

25/1

Form: 434-21 CD

Last run: 150 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Came good on his sixth start this year when scoring readily over this C&D (good) in June; not seen since and has 8lb higher mark and likely softer ground to cope with, but still considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

27th Jun 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

19:30 Newton Abbot

Premier Dtroice

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Katy Price

Seemingly back in good form at Warwick (3m2f, good) last month, where he battled on well to press Nickelsonthedime in the closing stages, but was last of five when favourite at Fontwell 11 days ago and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.

11/2

5th

3

16th Jun 2023

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

19:55 Fontwell

Premier Dtroice

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Katy Price

pressed leader, led after 1st, pressed leader when headed 3rd, ridden after 3 out, stayed on until no extra inside final 110yds

5/1

2nd

3

31st May 2023

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Warwick

Premier Dtroice

11st 9lb

J: Mr Zac Baker

T: Katy Price

Thorough stayer who was placed in two chases and a hurdle towards end of last season; probably on a good mark over hurdles but needs to bounce back quickly from lacklustre run over fences a fortnight ago; fully effective on good ground; unproven on good to firm.

8/1

Form: 9P4P-P BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Has dropped to a tempting mark and his backers were out in force on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) three weeks ago when he ran well below his best and was pulled up before two out; that was his fourth disappointing effort after wind surgery and he is hard to be optimistic about at the moment.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

28th Dec 2022

Good

2m 4f 25y

Class 3

15:10 Leicester

The Hollow Ginge

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Very well handicapped on his best form but has pulled up in four of his last five appearances and the return of a visor (replacing cheekpieces) isn't necessarily a positive.

25/1

3

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

3m 2f 13y

Class 3

14:12 Uttoxeter

The Hollow Ginge

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

disputed lead, led from 2nd, not fluent 4th, clear after 6th, jumped right 8th, hung badly right before 9th, soon headed and pulled up

8/1

9

22nd Oct 2022

Good To Firm

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

The Hollow Ginge

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

didn't jump with fluency, disputed lead, in touch with leaders from 2nd, towards rear from 7th, in touch with leaders 13th, mistake 15th, soon in rear and pushed along, rallied and prominent before 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out

100/30

Form: 11UP-5 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Docpickedme

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Doncaster form figures read 1P2114, the last five of which were over fences; not disgraced last time and this hurdles mark is 10lb lower, so a case can be made.

5/1

4th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Docpickedme

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Course form figures read 1P211, the last two wins coming in this race last year (good) and over C&D (good to soft) last month, both off a mark 2lb lower than today's; has also won on soft; respected given his record here.

7/1

13

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Docpickedme

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

9yo who has been inconsistent over the years but he's been better than ever the last twice, going very close at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December before winning another competitive handicap there (3m, good) in January, albeit having a battle on his hands before being left clear at the final fence; that latest form still reads well and a 4lb rise isn't harsh; chance.

6/1

Form: 7P54P- D

Last run: 244 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in a race won by Volcano when last seen at Warwick (3m5f, good to soft) in March; has dropped to a favourable mark and could well pop up at some stage but this is his first run for quite a long time and his respected stable has yet to strike form this winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

1st Apr 2023

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Uttoxeter

Cuban Pete

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

On a massively reduced mark but that reflects his poor recent form; pulled up in his last four races and looks hard to support with confidence.

20/1

2

25th Feb 2023

Good

3m 2f 54y

Class 5

16:17 Chepstow

Cuban Pete

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Triple chase winner at up to 3m1f, most recently in late 2020; in the doldrums last winter and carried on the bad work when pulled up for the third consecutive time in December (first-time blinkers, discarded); connections persevere and he may yet show more.

12/1

8

31st Dec 2022

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Warwick

Cuban Pete

10st 12lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Triple chase winner at up to 3m1f but his last win was in November 2020 and he's been pulled up in his last two starts, most recently at Uttoxeter on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he needs to turn things around in first-time blinkers.

14/1

Form: /882P- C BF

Last run: 244 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 3f 149y

Class 4

14:50 Fontwell

Vinnie Dev

10st 10lb

J: Tom O’Brien

T: Noel Williams

Point and novice hurdle winner who appeared to enter handicaps three years ago on a very tough mark and also had 691 days off before last season; runner-up at Lingfield (3m5f, heavy) last February and 8lb lower today but he's not done much in his three starts since; headgear on six of his last seven starts but not today.

25/1

1

1st Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 5

12:35 Fakenham

Vinnie Dev

12st 0lb

J: Mr Freddie Gordon

T: Noel Williams

Point/hurdle winner who stays this trip on testing ground; below par on his last two starts; cheekpieces (worn on last four starts) now swapped for first-time visor; on a competitive mark but does have a bit to prove.

9/2

9th

6

23rd Nov 2022

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

14:50 Hereford

Vinnie Dev

11st 12lb

J: Tom O’Brien

T: Noel Williams

Point/hurdle winner who finished second in a 3m5f handicap chase at Lingfield in February (heavy); has gone well fresh in the past and rain would help; still capable of better.

14/1

Non-runners

Docpickedme, Vinnie Dev

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.70
Straight Forecast £8.21
Tricast £48.91
Trifecta £49.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tea For Free

WEST COUNTRY:

In Rem

The Guardian:

Classic Ben

POSTDATA:

Bells Of Peterboro

TOPSPEED:

The Hollow Ginge

RP Ratings:

Tea For Free

The Times:

Tea For Free

Telegraph:

Tea For Free

Daily Mail:

Tea For Free

D Express:

Tea For Free

The Sun:

Tea For Free

Daily Record:

Tea For Free

The Star:

In Rem

Daily Mirror:

Classic Ben