November 24 / 14.20 Taunton

14.20

Good

Visit racingtv.com Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5990.6
  • 2m 7f 3y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Visit racingtv.com Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 6343-4

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Hasn't progressed as might have been anticipated after a 2m4f novice hurdle win last autumn but he didn't make too bad a start to his chase career after seven months off when fourth at Bangor (3m, good to soft) 30 days ago; entitled to come on for the run; has first-time cheekpieces added to his tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

24th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 3

15:00 Catterick

Kayf Hernando

12st 0lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

pressed leader, lost position 4th, niggled along briefly 7th, in rear when mistake 4 out, lost touch 2 out

13/2

6th

2

6th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

15:07 Plumpton

Kayf Hernando

11st 10lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

Raised his form to a new level when switched to fences last season and he made it 2-4 in this sphere when scoring at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in April; up 5lb but he's had another wind op since that last run and is open to more progress over staying trips this term; respected on return.

5/1

1st

7

12th Apr 2023

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

Kayf Hernando

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders, prominent 12th

4/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 134-13 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
This point winner has taken well to fences, winning at Kempton and third at Exeter (every chance when mistake last) in recent weeks (both 3m, good); another 3lb higher now but he ought to remain competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

9th Oct 2023

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:45 Stratford

Minella Buster

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, prominent 3rd, pressed winner after 2 out, 1 length down last, kept on towards finish

7/1

6th

5

9th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

18:25 Ludlow

Minella Buster

11st 11lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

All best form at about 3m1f on good ground and impressive when winning at Kempton in October; solid efforts in defeat since before pulled up on good to soft on Boxing Day; form chance if ground is suitable.

11/2

4

9th Mar 2023

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

13:30 Wincanton

Minella Buster

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Not seen since pulled up in C&D event won by No Hubs No Hoobs on Boxing Day but began this season with three good runs, the most notable a win at Kempton (3m, good) in October, and his current mark is workable.

6/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 221111 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
French bumper winner (good to soft) who has left his hurdle form behind since going chasing, making it 4-4 over fences when cruising home in a match race at Newbury (2m6f, good to firm) three weeks ago; this a much deeper contest but he's only been nudged up another 2lb and there could easily be plenty more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

8th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:00 Sandown

Huelgoat

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

The forecast soft ground and the step up in trip are the question marks, but this 6yo stayed on well to win at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month, which was a career-best, and he could continue to improve; respected.

5/1

1st

5

11th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

13:15 Wincanton

Huelgoat

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Farmed small-field chases on good/good to firm ground last autumn and probably posted a career-best performance when second over C&D (good to soft) on Boxing Day; not at best on either hurdling start this season, though, and not yet proven on genuine soft ground.

13/2

4th

3

29th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Worcester

Huelgoat

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Farmed small-field chases last autumn but didn't find a great deal for pressure when well-held second here (2m7f, good) on hurdling return in May; might benefit from this drop back in trip but others appeal more.

14/1

Form: 1145-7 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Progressive when completing a hat-trick over hurdles to end 2021, the third success coming over 3m here on good to soft; comfortably held since, though, including on Kempton reappearance 17 days ago; also well beaten on previous attempt over fences nearly two years ago; others certainly arrive with more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

14:40 Cheltenham

Tip Top Cat

11st 13lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Beat a next-time-out winner to open chasing account at Uttoxeter (3m2f, good to soft) two starts ago and remains lightly raced over fences but didn't fire last time and is seemingly not one to rely upon heavily.

10/1

5th

4

4th Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Tip Top Cat

11st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

towards rear, slow jump 4th, reminder after 8th, pushed along 5 out, soon no impression and beaten

7/2

1st

5

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 13y

Class 4

15:42 Uttoxeter

Tip Top Cat

11st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

On fire when signing off 2021 with a hat-trick in handicap hurdles, the latest off this very mark; made a belated return to fences last time at Taunton (2m7f) and ran okay despite a 21l defeat; this stiffer test should be in his favour.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 125P-2

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Made a good start to last season with a win (2m5f, heavy) and second in handicap hurdles, and made a solid start to the current campaign when second on his 2m3f Ffos Las chase debut a month ago; may do better with that experience behind him and the step up in trip should help if anything; cheekpieces on first time; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

26th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

15:10 Exeter

Investment Manager

11st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

in rear throughout, jumped left 2nd, reminder with one circuit to go, ridden and weakened after 14th, tailed off when pulled up 15th

9/2

2nd

1

21st Oct 2023

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:55 Newton Abbot

Investment Manager

12st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

led at steady pace, joined 8th, headed 10th, led again 14th, good jump and going best 3 out, reduced lead before last, faced challenge run-in, no extra when headed inside final 110yds

5/2

2nd

5

2nd Oct 2023

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:45 Newton Abbot

Investment Manager

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

prominent, outpaced 16th, rallied after 3 out, challenging 2 out, kept on run-in

9/2

Form: 13P-05

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Made a winning handicap hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) a year ago; well beaten in France in August but made a respectable British return when fifth in a 3m Ffos Las handicap hurdle 18 days ago; certainly bred to make a chaser and the stable's good form provides hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

2nd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

13:30 Wincanton

Helios Allen

12st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Jane Williams

Well handicapped on best efforts last term but backward steps this season, chasing on last two starts; returns to hurdling in first headgear.

16/1

9

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:53 Uttoxeter

Helios Allen

11st 9lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Hurdle winner off this mark last term; however, holds weak claims on this season's form, most recently well held at Taunton (2m7f) switched to fences; nicely treated granted a revival.

20/1

Form: 32/04-

Last run: 355 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
In the frame all three starts in Irish points, notably second to now useful chaser Castle Robin; fair form in four outings over hurdles, including fourth on 3m Aintree handicap debut just under a year ago; brings potential to this chase debut but the length of his absence means that a watching brief has to be the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

18

27th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Cheltenham

Enemenemynemo

11st 2lb

J: Miss Izzie Marshall

T: D J Jeffreys

Jumped well and never headed at Perth (2m4f, good) in July and returned to that level when reeled in late on at Huntingdon (2m4f); not sure the winner of that race was particularly well handicapped and there are stamina doubts over this far.

16/1

2nd

3

17th Oct 2023

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

16:25 Huntingdon

Enemenemynemo

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

raced in second, pushed along after 3 out, good jump and led 2 out

100/30

Form: F53-P1

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Picked up by new connections for £5,200 in May and got most of it back with when landing a 3m2f Newton Abbot handicap chase (good) last month; it was only a four-runner race but the second filled the same position in a stronger contest at Uttoxeter since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:10 Chepstow

Potters Venture

11st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

Made a winning debut for this yard in a 3m2f handicap chase at Newton Abbot in October; four heavy defeats have followed (one over hurdles) but he's back down to his last winning mark as a consequence; tongue tied on penultimate start and tried cheekpieces on latest; has neither today.

20/1

10

23rd Apr 2023

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

16:00 Plumpton

Potters Venture

10st 9lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

Made a winning debut for this yard in a 3m2f handicap chase at Newton Abbot in October; four heavy defeats have followed (one over hurdles) but he's back down to his last winning mark as a consequence.

16/1

8th

6

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:00 Taunton

Potters Venture

11st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

led, mistake and headed then prominent 4th, mistake and lost ground 8th, in rear when reminder after 10th, reminder 11th, not fluent 12th, got well behind from 5 out

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.70
Straight Forecast £31.50
Tricast £86.88
Trifecta £96.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Huelgoat

POSTDATA:

Minella Buster

TOPSPEED:

Investment Manager

The Times:

Potters Venture

RP Ratings:

Huelgoat

WEST COUNTRY:

Huelgoat

Telegraph:

Huelgoat

D Express:

Huelgoat

Daily Mirror:

Huelgoat

The Sun:

Huelgoat

The Star:

Huelgoat

Daily Record:

Huelgoat

Daily Mail:

Minella Buster

The Guardian:

Investment Manager