January 10 / 14.25 Doncaster

14.25

Good

Sky Bet UKs No.1 Betting App Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 3m 2f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Sky Bet UKs No.1 Betting App Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1-5221

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
On the up over hurdles, landing 3m Ascot handicap in November; also placed on his sole point outing so he rates an interesting prospect now going chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

23rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:02 Exeter

The Questioner

11st 7lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Off 444 days before this season, during which he's been well below form but still managed a third at Wetherby (3m, soft) in January; latest start was a rare foray over fences; accelerating down the weights and first-time blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces.

9/1

7

4th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 3f 123y

Class 4

14:05 Market Rasen

The Questioner

11st 1lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Only had three chase runs and he's off the same mark for the 3m2f win at Doncaster just over two years ago; has to recapture that level of form but he's been running over hurdles this season.

13/2

10th

3

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

14:05 Sedgefield

The Questioner

11st 7lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

in touch with leaders on outer

2/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 153-44 C

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Had had wind surgery and sported new headgear when a fading fourth of nine in 3m1f Hereford handicap on his chasing debut in November; this winning hurdler/pointer needs to build on it now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

21st Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:19 Plumpton

Lyrical Genius

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

led, not fluent 7th, cajoled along from 11th, increased tempo before 14th, faced challenge when hit 4 out, headed approaching last, weakened gradually run-in

9/2

2nd

4

21st Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:19 Plumpton

Lyrical Genius

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

led, not fluent 7th, cajoled along from 11th, increased tempo before 14th, faced challenge when hit 4 out, headed approaching last, weakened gradually run-in

9/2

Form: 6-3432

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Yet to match his fairly useful winning hurdling form in three runs in this sphere, though he wasn't disgraced when second of eight in 3m Huntingdon handicap last month; has since had a wind op and handily weighted if it sparks some improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:37 Doncaster

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

disputed lead early, slow jump 1st, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, dropped to rear before 7th, some headway and went fourth before 4 out, switched right and went modest third before 3 out, no impression

6/1

3rd

1

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:37 Doncaster

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

disputed lead early, slow jump 1st, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, dropped to rear before 7th, some headway and went fourth before 4 out, switched right and went modest third before 3 out, no impression

6/1

4th

6

2nd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:08 Wetherby

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Well beaten over hurdles at Worcester in September but was returning from a 104-day break and chasing is his game nowadays; won two in a row over fences at Southwell (3m, good) in the spring and he's a strong contender if back on song today.

6/1

Form: 14-431

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Took his form up a notch when making a winning chasing debut in 3m Wetherby handicap 15 days ago; up 6lb but he looks to have more to offer so needs shortlisting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

Court At Slip

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

Pulled up over 4m here last time (soft); plenty of decent placed efforts in 3m chases before that; has an each-way chance.

8/1

8

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Court At Slip

10st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

Without a win since December 2023 but this consistent sort has finished second at Catterick (3m1f/3m, soft) on his last two starts and ran well over 3m6f there in January 2024; each-way claims.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: -62312 BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Fitted with cheekpieces when getting off the mark over fences in 3m Exeter handicap in November and backed it up with good Wincanton second following month; visor is sported now and he's well in the mix off a 2lb lower mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

21st Dec 2023

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

13:25 Exeter

Midnight Glance

11st 4lb

J: Mr Rian Corcoran

T: Alan King

Triple hurdle winner who has won over fences; however, he looks stuck in a rut right now in both disciplines and now has another change of headgear (has won in cheekpieces).

20/1

0

1

16th Nov 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:33 Taunton

Midnight Glance

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Triple hurdle winner who won over fences at Exeter (3m, good) last November but he's lost his way since and was pulled up at Huntingdon last month; now 2lb lower than for his chase win but he needs to turn things around; reapplied visor replaces cheekpieces.

20/1

0

3

17th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

15:13 Huntingdon

Midnight Glance

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Three-time hurdle winner who won a 3m chase at Exeter (good) last November; soon went downhill afterwards (twice hurdling this summer) and now has questions to answer.

10/1

Form: 32-P45

Last run: 51 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on his fencing debut for Paul Nicholls in June but he's performed with credit on both subsequent runs for current yard, fifth in 2m6f Uttoxeter handicap chase in November; no forlorn hope from a 5lb lower mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

9th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

15:45 Ludlow

Grange Road

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Started off for Gary Hanmer with two respectable runs in this month last year, latterly when fifth in a good-quality Uttoxeter chase (2m6f, soft); has fitness to prove after 354-day absence but the handicapper has given him a good chance.

33/1

1

10th Jan 2023

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:25 Doncaster

Grange Road

12st 0lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Pulled up on his fencing debut for Paul Nicholls in June but he's performed with credit on both subsequent runs for current yard, fifth in 2m6f Uttoxeter handicap chase in November; no forlorn hope from a 5lb lower mark.

16/1

5th

8

20th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 6f 108y

Class 3

13:23 Uttoxeter

Grange Road

10st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Won a maiden hurdle at Hexham in May 2021 on debut for Paul Nicholls but failed to go on from that; pulled up this June on sole chase start and was a soundly beaten fourth over hurdles at Worcester on recent stable debut; 3lb out of the handicap now back over fences and others are preferred.

25/1

Form: 7436-1

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Went in at the first time of asking in this sphere in four-runner Fontwell handicap (2m6f) in November despite wandering in front; up 3lb and this demands more, so he needs to take another step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th May 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Uttoxeter

Ballaquane

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Oliver Sherwood

Lightly raced 8yo who beat three rivals to make winning chase debut at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) in November; only 2lb higher here but reappeared with lacklustre effort in February and it's hard to know what to expect from him after another break; cheekpieces refitted.

7/2

7

27th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

19:35 Taunton

Ballaquane

11st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Oliver Sherwood

Very lightly raced 8yo; made a winning seasonal/chase debut at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) in November but that was in a small-field event and he was pulled up at Ffos Las next time; blinkers are now tried and he comes with risks attached after another break.

20/1

5

9th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

15:08 Ffos Las

Ballaquane

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Oliver Sherwood

Very lightly raced 8yo who beat three rivals to make winning seasonal/chase debut at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) in November; the bare form isn't anything to get excited about but he's only 2lb higher here and still has potential.

9/2

Form: 4U1538

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Scored over hurdles at Uttoxeter in September but he has been in just fair form since in that sphere; he reverts to fences now with more required if he's to gain a breakthrough chasing success.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:05 Worcester

Finalshot

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Benefited from addition of tongue-tie when opening chasing account at Hexham (1m7f, good) in September but wasn't quite in same form at Huntingdon the following month and has fitness to prove after 246-day absence.

9/1

3rd

6

17th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

17:35 Huntingdon

Finalshot

11st 1lb

J: Alex Edwards

T: Mel Rowley

Wants good ground and with a tongue-tie replacing his usual hood he ran out a clearcut winner over slightly shorter at Hexham (4lb lower); remains to be seen whether he'll continue the good work as his profile is very up and down.

7/2

1st

3

6th Sep 2023

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

18:48 Hexham

Finalshot

11st 12lb

J: Alex Edwards

T: Mel Rowley

Dual hurdle winner; two solid chasing efforts at Market Rasen this summer but flopped at Newton Abbot latest; tongue-strap now fitted and will be a threat to all if that enables a return to his best.

5/1

Non-runners

Grange Road, Ballaquane

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.90
Straight Forecast £13.60
Tricast £68.59
Trifecta £73.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Questioner

POSTDATA:

Midnight Glance

RP Ratings:

Taste The Fear

The Sun:

Court At Slip

Daily Mirror:

Ballaquane

The Times:

The Questioner

Telegraph:

The Questioner

The Guardian:

The Questioner

The Star:

The Questioner

TOPSPEED:

Taste The Fear

Daily Mail:

Midnight Glance

D Express:

Midnight Glance

Daily Record:

Midnight Glance