December 29 / 12.45 Doncaster

12.45

Good

bet365 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6535.2
  • 2m 0f 78y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
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bet365 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: /21-U2

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
2-4 over hurdles (wins on very soft and soft) and he bumped into a progressive winner when second at Kempton (2m2f, good to soft) last month on second start over fences; 4lb higher but could be well treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Haddex Des Obeaux

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Formerly a progressive sort and has Grade 1 form over C&D; however, two runs since returning from long layoff suggest he's not the force of old and unlikely to defy top weight in this warm handicap.

14/1

4

27th Dec 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Kempton

Haddex Des Obeaux

11st 10lb

T: Nicky Henderson

3rd

3

9th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Haddex Des Obeaux

11st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Gary Moore

Progressive novice chaser last season, winning twice (good/heavy); still held a fighting chance when final-fence faller in Cheltenham handicap on reappearance and could well rate higher still; faces a stiffer assignment upped in class but brings an attractive profile.

14/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 21-731 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Two-time point winner (good/soft) who showed improved form when winning over C&D (good) on last month's chase debut; he's 11lb higher in this much tougher race but he had plenty in hand last time and it remains to be seen where his limitations lie over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

31st May 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:37 Fakenham

Coastguard Station

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Good-ground specialist who was a course winner in 2024 and returns here after two good efforts this spring, the latter a close fourth at Aintree (2m4f, good) 16 days ago; respected.

3/1

4th

4

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Coastguard Station

11st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Enjoys good ground; bumped into the enigmatic Numitor on a good day at Hereford last month (2m5f) but this 10yo also struggles with his consistency; he's capable but risky enough.

10/1

2nd

3

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Coastguard Station

11st 1lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Henry Oliver

Enjoys good ground on which he beat the useful Mahons Glory by 8l at Market Rasen in September (2m5f); tailed off since then on either side of a 140-day break but those were strong handicaps; respected.

9/1

25/1

  • Place: £7.30

Form: 122343 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row over fences at Sedgefield in May but he's finished down the field the last twice; major turnaround is required with a first-time visor replacing cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Sedgefield

Nero Rock

12st 2lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Made all for wide-margin wins in two four-runner handicaps here (2m3f/2m1f, good) last May, those are his only two runs at Sedgefield and he's now 9lb below his last winning mark; switched to visor when there was an upturn in his form on latest outing; tongue-tie (absent since 2021 in his Irish days) returns and 7lb claimer is recruited; of renewed interest.

5/1

3rd

7

29th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 3

12:45 Doncaster

Nero Rock

10st 11lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Jennie Candlish

Won two in a row over fences at Sedgefield in May but he's finished down the field the last twice; major turnaround is required with a first-time visor replacing cheekpieces.

25/1

3rd

3

8th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 3

14:22 Newcastle

Nero Rock

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Below par at Wetherby last month and has to bounce back, but he won two in a row at Sedgefield (2m3f/2m1f, good) in May and returned from a break with a fair third of four at Kelso (2m1f, good) in October; also effective on good to soft ground and he's not written off.

9/2

Form: P4-213 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Won at Chepstow (2m, good) last month on second chase start and solid third of six at Newbury (2m, good), form that has been franked by the runner-up; possible player if conditions suit (best form is on good ground but he showed promise on soft in a bumper in 2020).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

27th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

13:50 Cheltenham

Datsalrightgino

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Delivered with a well-timed challenge to win major 3m2f handicap at Newbury (good to soft) eight weeks ago, proving suited by the new trip and taking chase record to 3-10; generally progressive and is unexposed beyond 2m4f; possibilities.

11/2

1st

11

2nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 1

14:50 Newbury

Datsalrightgino

10st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Jamie Snowden

Unraced beyond an extended 2m4f and this is a tough race in which to test his stamina; however, he was strong at the finish when winning a Grade 2 novice at Ayr (2m4f, good) in April and may well have staying potential; might have needed his reappearance in the Old Roan and is not ruled out.

16/1

Form: 92-715 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
5-14 over hurdles, with wins over 1m7f-2m3f (good-soft), including here and under Toby Wynne at Newbury two starts ago; carries joint top weight on chasing debut against several rivals who are already proven over fences, but this 5yo could have a part to play if immediately taking to this game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

19th Mar 2025

Good

2m 2f 191y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Herbiers

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Well handicapped on his form up to May 2023 and he's one to watch in the betting, but he's struggled over hurdles and fences this season following a long absence, and has plenty to prove.

16/1

8

12th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

16:13 Wetherby

Herbiers

11st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Potentially on a good mark but it's been a struggle this season after a layoff and a sudden turnaround is needed with a first-time visor replacing cheekpieces.

25/1

Form: 1F18-2 C BF

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Two-time course winner (bumper/novice hurdle; good/good to soft) who did very well to finish a close second of five on last month's chase and seasonal debut at Wetherby (1m7f, good) given he made mistakes; comes with obvious jumping risks attached but clearly open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

26th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

13:30 Exeter

Moriko De Vassy

10st 8lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Well treated on his good second to very useful Notlongtillmay at Wetherby (1m7f; chase debut) last November; however, nowhere near that form in three runs since, latest in a notable race returned to hurdles; bit to prove back up in distance.

16/1

7th

10

15th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 2

15:20 Ffos Las

Moriko De Vassy

10st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Won a pair of novice hurdles two seasons ago but rather struggled over fences last term; ground could be an issue on stable debut (was with Tom Symonds) and others appear to hold stronger claims.

20/1

5

30th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

15:00 Hereford

Moriko De Vassy

11st 5lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Tom Symonds

All three rules wins have come on good/good to soft and twice taken out of races on soft; the transition to fences hasn't been smooth and others are higher up the list; first-time cheekpieces fitted.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 117-33 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

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

4th

5

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

14:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Barrichello

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Won four times as a novice during 2021-22 season but has been out of form over the last 18 months or so and needs a significant boost from the first-time blinkers today.

14/1

8th

3

14th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Barrichello

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Rather disappointing since two wins in early 2022 (both over 2m on good to soft); very well handicapped (19lb lower than last success) so quite interesting back from a break on second run after wind surgery.

13/2

8th

3

14th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Barrichello

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Rather disappointing since two wins in early 2022 (both over 2m on good to soft); very well handicapped (19lb lower than last success) so quite interesting back from a break on second run after wind surgery.

13/2

Form: 2113-3 C

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Bumper and two-time novice hurdle winner (2m, good/soft; including here) who reappeared with a fair third in handicap hurdle at Ascot (1m7f, good) in October; connections waste little time in sending this lightly raced 5yo over fences and he's a likeable prospect; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

11th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

20:05 Warwick

Call Of The Wild

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Made disappointing start to chasing career in 2022-23 season (two attempts); returned from layoff with pleasing second in Class 3 handicap hurdle at Wincanton (2m4f, soft; also suited by good) in November but was safely held on only other appearance last season and it's hard to know what to expect from him as he begins his second spell over fences

7/1

3rd

3

11th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

20:05 Warwick

Call Of The Wild

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Made disappointing start to chasing career in 2022-23 season (two attempts); returned from layoff with pleasing second in Class 3 handicap hurdle at Wincanton (2m4f, soft; also suited by good) in November but was safely held on only other appearance last season and it's hard to know what to expect from him as he begins his second spell over fences

7/1

10th

8

27th Jan 2024

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 2

12:55 Doncaster

Call Of The Wild

11st 1lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Chasing didn't go to plan last season and he was a mid-race faller when returned to hurdling in the spring but his reappearance second at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) in November was very encouraging and his current mark ought to be workable; shortlisted.

6/1

Form: P273P- D

Last run: 272 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Pulled up at Newbury in April on final outing for Paul Nicholls; however, he's on a competitive mark on his best hurdle form and his rookie trainer saddled a winner on Monday with his first runner (who was returning from a long absence); not ruled on chase and stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Dargiannini

11st 9lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Returned from a break with narrow win at Uttoxter (2m4f, good) in October but pulled up on both starts since, latterly at last month's Cheltenham Festival; younger rivals have much more persuasive profiles.

50/1

18

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Dargiannini

10st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

A 9yo won it in 2019 but it's stretching the imagination to see this 11yo prevail, even though he did so at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in October and soft ground was a valid excuse at Newbury (2m4f) in November; off since.

50/1

Non-runners

Barrichello

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £38.40
Straight Forecast £40.37
Tricast £1755.89
Trifecta £513.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Haddex Des Obeaux

TOPSPEED:

Datsalrightgino

Daily Mirror:

Coastguard Station

D Express:

Moriko De Vassy

Telegraph:

Barrichello

RP Ratings:

Haddex Des Obeaux

The Times:

Haddex Des Obeaux

The Guardian:

Haddex Des Obeaux

Daily Record:

Moriko De Vassy

The Star:

Coastguard Station

POSTDATA:

Datsalrightgino

LAMBOURN:

Datsalrightgino

Daily Mail:

Datsalrightgino