November 18 / 14.40 Ascot

14.40

Good To Soft

Not Forgotten Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £13615
  • 2m 7f 180y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Not Forgotten Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 1635P- CD

Last run: 246 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Not at his best on his final four outings last season and a return to form is needed on this reappearance, but he's back down to the same mark as when winning a Grade 3 C&D handicap (soft) last October and can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Kempton

Larry

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary Moore

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

12/1

4

22nd Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Kempton

Larry

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary Moore

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

12/1

7

24th Mar 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Larry

10st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary Moore

Twice well beaten over C&D this winter, including last time, but in between he won at Plumpton and he's a two-time C&D winner who was third in this race last year; has won on a variety of ground; not ruled out.

7/1

5/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 5332F-

Last run: 280 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Pretty consistent last year and he was a good second at Kempton (3m, soft) in January on his last completed start (fell there next time); each-way claims if reappearing in the same form but he's won just one of his 11 chase outings and there's a suspicion that Kempton suits best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Smarty Wild

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

midfield, not fluent 10th

14/1

4th

8

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

16:19 Newton Abbot

Smarty Wild

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

midfield, not fluent 10th

14/1

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 41312- D

Last run: 235 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Improved form in these cheekpieces last winter, winning twice (2m5f/3m, soft), and he went very close at Ludlow (3m, good) in March when last seen; this second-season chaser could continue the good work on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Bobhopeornohope

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

led, clear before 5th

7/1

5

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Bobhopeornohope

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

led, clear before 5th

7/1

Form: /1155- CD

Last run: 278 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Well below her best on her final two runs last season but she's made a winning reappearance in each of her last two campaigns (on soft/good), including in this race last year; no surprise to see another bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

2nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 2

12:30 Newbury

Kapga De Lily

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

didn't jump with fluency, prominent, dropped to midfield 4th, dropped to rear 10th

6/1

4th

5

26th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:30 Perth

Kapga De Lily

11st 0lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Had a ball with seven wins from the autumn of 2020 to December 2021; beaten when departing late on in a strong handicap at Aintree recently and she's held by Pink Legend on their Exeter clash in February.

12/1

10

15th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Aintree

Kapga De Lily

10st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Made mincemeat of modest marks in early days over fences and had a purple spell with seven wins from the autumn of 2020 to December 2021, her final win coming at Hereford (3m1f, good; has won on heavy); just two handicap runs in defeat since, both of which make this look quite an ask.

14/1

Form: 52102- CD

Last run: 225 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Won a C&D handicap (soft) in January and he was a creditable second in the Aintree Foxhunters' (2m5f, good to soft) in April when last seen; wind op since; returns with top yard in fine form and could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

18:15 Ffos Las

Cat Tiger

11st 4lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Paul Nicholls

Has plenty of back-class but an 11yo now and hasn't been offering a great deal in handicap chases since rejoining Paul Nicholls.

12/1

Form: P50/P- CD

Last run: 356 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced since winning a Grade 2 novice chase over C&D in February 2020 and he's dropped down the weights; however, he ran just once last season, when well beaten in prestigious Newbury handicap last November, and he needs to prove how much ability he retains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Copperhead

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unseated rider (still prominent) at Sandown in January when seeking a second success in the veterans final; battled his way back to pip Gabbys Cross for a Newbury win (3m2f) four weeks ago and, although 5lb rise takes him to his highest mark since 2022, this sterling character needs major respect.

2/1

1st

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Copperhead

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unseated rider three out, having still been prominent, at Sandown last time when bidding for a second success in the final of this series; remains on the last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in good form and completes the course.

12/1

4

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Copperhead

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Form: /F5-P4 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Won the Badger Beers at Wincanton (3m1f, good) in 2020 and fair fourth in the same race a fortnight ago (good to firm); that was his second start back from an absence and he could be working his way back into form, but he's done all of his winning on good/faster and slow ground is expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

22nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 5

14:00 Newbury

El Presente

11st 12lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Miss S L Klug

Former winner of Wincanton's valuable Badger Beers Chase when with Kim Bailey; lost his way for that yard as age caught up and unlikely that a repeat of his recent pointing exploits will see him beat the best of these.

12/1

4

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

14:40 Ascot

El Presente

11st 12lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Won the Badger Beers at Wincanton (3m1f, good) in 2020 and fair fourth in the same race a fortnight ago (good to firm); that was his second start back from an absence and he could be working his way back into form, but he's done all of his winning on good/faster and slow ground is expected.

10/1

4th

4

5th Nov 2022

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

14:50 Wincanton

El Presente

10st 12lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Repelled Potterman by the skin of his teeth in this race two years ago but could only finish fifth last year when burdened with top weight and he wasn't seen again until pulling up four weeks ago at Chepstow (2m7f; jumped poorly); too well handicapped to ignore and perhaps a visor will spark something.

20/1

Form: 1623-6 D

Last run: 189 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
11yo who was better than ever last season and a case can be made judged on the form of two fine performances at Ludlow (3m, good to soft/soft); well beaten on his last two starts in spring and needs to get back on track but he returns with his trainer in excellent form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

6th May 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Uttoxeter

Head To The Stars

10st 12lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Henry Daly

Best known as a Ludlow specialist in recent years but didn't run well there on latest appearance six weeks ago and comes here with something to prove; younger rivals appeal more.

16/1

5th

1

23rd Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

16:10 Ludlow

Head To The Stars

12st 2lb

J: Hugh Nugent

T: Henry Daly

Reserves his best for this track and may have given Tide Times something to think about but for final-fence blunder here in January; another good effort last month but does look rather marooned off current mark.

9/1

2nd

1

22nd Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Head To The Stars

12st 2lb

J: Miss Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

Unreliable sort but he's a three-time C&D winner and held every chance when almost falling at the final fence in 3m1f handicap here last time; he can't be ruled out, especially if jumping better.

9/1

Form: 9840-0 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

14 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
14yo who has been beaten 11 times since his last win in October 2020, and he was tailed off over C&D on reappearance three weeks ago; however, he may have needed that run and, if he is to snap his losing sequence, it's highly likely to be at Ascot which has been the venue for his last four wins.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

18th Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

14:25 Ascot

Regal Encore

10st 8lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Anthony Honeyball

15yo who last won in October 2020, with 12 races since; 3m at Ascot was the scene of his last four wins (including this race in 2018) but also seven of those last 12 defeats; player judged on his fourth in this race last year (13lb lower today) but not if judged on his two visits this autumn.

33/1

9

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

14:40 Ascot

Regal Encore

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Anthony Honeyball

14yo who has been beaten 11 times since his last win in October 2020, and he was tailed off over C&D on reappearance three weeks ago; however, he may have needed that run and, if he is to snap his losing sequence, it's highly likely to be at Ascot which has been the venue for his last four wins.

10/1

11th

8

29th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:15 Ascot

Regal Encore

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Anthony Honeyball

held up in rear, struggling after 15th, weakened 4 out, tailed off

20/1

Form: /73P4- D

Last run: 209 days

W: 11st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
This 12yo isn't the force of old but he's dropped down the weights accordingly and produced a bold show until fading in the bet365 Gold Cup over 3m5f at Sandown in April last time out; this sort of trip may serve him better nowadays and he's not ruled out on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

9th Jul 2023

Good

3m 3f 123y

Class 4

17:50 Market Rasen

Step Back

11st 5lb

J: Miss Lily Bradstock

T: Mark Bradstock

Front-runner who stays well; thrown in today if judged even on the form shown on his first two starts last season (one on good); however, easily his best show in hunter chases since came when second at Carlisle in March (3m, heavy) and such a poor show at Cartmel last time has to be a major concern.

10/1

7th

7

31st May 2023

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:20 Cartmel

Step Back

12st 0lb

J: Miss Lily Bradstock

T: Mark Bradstock

Best hunter chase run when creditable second at Carlisle in March (3m, heavy); well beaten in the Aintree Foxhunters next time; each-way chance.

4/1

12

5th May 2023

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:45 Cheltenham

Step Back

11st 12lb

J: Miss Lily Bradstock

T: Mark Bradstock

Won Sandown's big end-of-season finale in 2018 and took two further handicaps in 2020; nearly won a hunter chase at Carlisle in March but a weaker one than this, and he's always been a more potent force going right-handed.

12/1

Non-runners

Step Back

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £74.20
Straight Forecast £63.53
Tricast £346.96
Trifecta £374.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cat Tiger

WEST COUNTRY:

Bobhopeornohope

Telegraph:

Kapga De Lily

RP Ratings:

Larry

The Star:

Copperhead

D Express:

Bobhopeornohope

Daily Mirror:

Bobhopeornohope

TOPSPEED:

Cat Tiger

The Times:

Cat Tiger

The Guardian:

Cat Tiger

The Sun:

Cat Tiger

Daily Record:

Cat Tiger

Daily Mail:

Kapga De Lily

POSTDATA:

Larry