January 14 / 13.50 Warwick

13.50

Heavy

eventmasters.co.uk Hampton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £31322.5
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 4 runners
ITV4
View Course
eventmasters.co.uk Hampton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75

Form: 133-1P

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Inferior to today's rivals over hurdles but this winning pointer looks sure to make a better chaser judged on her impressive winning start in a Listed chase for mares at Bangor (2m1f, heavy; form franked); her jumping was assured throughout that day but not when stepped up to 3m at Kempton on Boxing Day (3m) and she was pulled up mid-race; tempting to give her another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

Galia Des Liteaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grade 2-winning chaser who ran well to be eighth in the 2024 Grand National; last season ended disappointingly (latterly in the Midlands National when tongue-tie joined regular cheekpieces) but she was second in the 2m4f Listed race on this card before respectable efforts in the Coral Gold Cup and Welsh National (won by Val Dancer); stays this far and the handicapper has given her a chance; interesting.

8/1

5th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

Galia Des Liteaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grade 2-winning chaser who ran well to be eighth in the 2024 Grand National; last season ended disappointingly (latterly in the Midlands National when tongue-tie joined regular cheekpieces) but she was second in the 2m4f Listed race on this card before respectable efforts in the Coral Gold Cup and Welsh National (won by Val Dancer); stays this far and the handicapper has given her a chance; interesting.

8/1

5th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

Galia Des Liteaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grade 2-winning chaser who ran well to be eighth in the 2024 Grand National; last season ended disappointingly (latterly in the Midlands National when tongue-tie joined regular cheekpieces) but she was second in the 2m4f Listed race on this card before respectable efforts in the Coral Gold Cup and Welsh National (won by Val Dancer); stays this far and the handicapper has given her a chance; interesting.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 212-51

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Reached an RPR of 138 as a hurdler and has already surpassed that figure over fences, posting 142 in winning a 2m5f soft-ground handicap at Ffos Las on his first chase start; the clear second was beaten next time but again ran well; brings solid credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

27th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

Complete Unknown

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive as a novice chaser last season, ending with an easy handicap win at Kempton (2m4f, soft) and staying-on second in Grade 1 novice at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft); won an intermediate chase on return but made a backward step when favourite for top 3m2f handicap at Newbury on latest outing; of major interest if that can be forgiven.

8/1

10th

8

2nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 1

14:50 Newbury

Complete Unknown

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

towards rear, hampered 1st

7/1

1st

2

21st Oct 2023

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:40 Newton Abbot

Complete Unknown

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second early, led 2nd, increased tempo 10th, pecked on landing 12th, going best when good jump 4 out, went clear 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and reduced lead run-in, always doing enough

4/6

100/30

Form: 04-412

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Peak RPR of 135 over hurdles; jumping wasn't foot perfect when off the mark over fences at Thurles (2m6f, yielding) and the same again when no match for a classy rival at Fairyhouse (2m5f); his form compares favourably with today's opposition but his jumping is a nagging concern around here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

19

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

The Goffer

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Third reserve; second to Vanillier in P P Hogan Memorial over C&D in February and most recently a close third (beaten 1.25l) to Busselton in 4m1f La Touche here on Thursday; big player if turning out again.

3rd

13

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

The Goffer

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Fourth behind Stumptown in the 2025 Glenfarclas Chase; went on to finish third in the Topham and fifth in this race; twice second over the shorter course here this season, behind Desertmore House in November and behind Vanillier in February; may rebound after below-par effort at Cheltenham.

4/1

10th

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

The Goffer

10st 5lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Has made the frame at two Cheltenham Festivals, more recently when staying on from long way off the pace to take fourth behind Stumptown in this race in 2025 (good to soft); returns here after a pretty good second to Vanillier on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy) but, from out of the weights, is effectively 5lb higher than last year; sports first-time cheekpieces.

14/1

Form: 12-703

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Good novice hurdler who finished second in the 3m Grade 1 at Aintree in April (3m, good to soft; RPR 139); comfortably held in two handicaps (2m4f/3m) on his return this season and again on his chase debut at Leicester (2m4f; first-time tongue-tie); stepping back up in trip has to rate a positive but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

24th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

15:08 Chepstow

Gentleman At Arms

11st 3lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Stuart Edmunds

Had a career-low jumps mark when winning at Aintree (3m, soft) in November; that was a doughty performance but he reverted to heavy defeats on both starts since; has been wearing cheekpieces but now tries a visor; 7lb claimer is recruited.

25/1

7th

4

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

13:49 Warwick

Gentleman At Arms

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Well down the weights and took advantage with Aintree win (3m, soft) in November; that was a doughty performance but he reverted to a heavy defeat when back up 5lb at Newbury three weeks later; needs more like the novice form he showed in the 2021-22 season.

12/1

11th

5

1st Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 2

15:35 Newbury

Gentleman At Arms

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Well down weights and took advantage with Aintree win (3m, soft) three weeks ago; that was a doughty performance but he's back up 5lb and probably now needs more like the novice form he showed in the 2021-22 season.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.60
Straight Forecast £6.58
Trifecta £9.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Complete Unknown

SPOTLIGHT:

Galia Des Liteaux

The Sun:

The Goffer

RP Ratings:

Galia Des Liteaux

TOPSPEED:

Galia Des Liteaux

The Times:

Galia Des Liteaux

The Guardian:

Galia Des Liteaux

WEST COUNTRY:

Complete Unknown

Telegraph:

Complete Unknown

Daily Mail:

Complete Unknown

D Express:

Complete Unknown

Daily Mirror:

Complete Unknown

The Star:

Complete Unknown

Daily Record:

Complete Unknown