January 28 / 13.35 Doncaster

13.35

Good

MND Association Race For Research Lightning Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28475
  • 2m 0f 78y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
SKY
View Course
MND Association Race For Research Lightning Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.80
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 9-1252 C BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Grade 2-winning hurdle who was second in Grade 2 novice chase at Cheltenham (2m, good) in November; creditable second of three in handicap at Newcastle (2m, soft) three weeks ago when giving bundles of weight to the winner Since Day One, and he's a leading contender here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Tommys Oscar

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

11yo who snapped a losing sequence at Carlisle (3m, good to soft) last month and it was a stronger race than this in which he was fourth of 11 at Haydock (2m4f, good) last Wednesday; every chance he'll be in the mix.

11/2

4th

1

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Tommys Oscar

11st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Veteran who made his name as a two-miler and the slow pace helped when making his first foray over 3m a successful one at Carlisle (good to soft; effective on good); solid second the run before over 2m4f but a 5lb rise for last time could be troublesome.

12/1

1st

1

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Tommys Oscar

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Smart at around 2m in his prime and was creditable second off today's mark in valuable Musselburgh handicap (2m4f, good to soft) five weeks ago but has stamina to prove on first venture beyond about 2m4f under rules.

9/4

OUR TIP

11/10

  • Place: £1.10

Form: -P1121 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Improved form when back over fences in the autumn, winning two handicaps in a row (2m, good) before bumping into Jonbon in Sandown Grade 1; won a Grade 2 at Kempton (2m, soft) over Christmas and he's a strong contender here, despite the 5lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Boothill

11st 9lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Ascot specialist who runs at Aintree for the first time; following wind surgery he ran okay when 13l eighth of 20 in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month, and he's another 4lb lower today; however, this 11yo is without a win since 2023 and needs to find something extra now in cheekpieces.

33/1

8th

6

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Boothill

11st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Ascot specialist who ran really well when second to Jonbon in C&D Grade 2 (good) in November 2024; well handicapped on that form but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive this season; wind op needs to prompt a revival.

40/1

Form: 14-121 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-3 over fences when making all in first-time cheekpieces (retained) in three-runner handicap at Newcastle three weeks ago (2m, soft; has won on good ground); the runner-up Tommy's Oscar is 19lb better off for about 5l so is very much weighted to reverse the placings, but this fellow could have more to offer and can give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

24th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Since Day One

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Absent since last February but won over fences when fresh last season and he's well handicapped on his chase form; won four times over C&D over hurdles in 2021-22 campaign (including on soft) and he's an interesting contender now back here for his return to action.

7/2

1

12th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

14:30 Southwell

Since Day One

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Form: 113325 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Won two novice chase for Willie Mullins last May/June and hasn't run badly on his first two starts for this yard; however, his limitations are likely to be exposed once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

16:32 Perth

Ganapathi

11st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sandy Thomson

Runner-up three times in a row in February-April, including in a quite valuable series final at Carlisle (2m4f, good) and when losing out only narrowly to Half Shot at Kelso (2m7f, good); subsequent 22l defeat over C&D came in a stronger race than this; one to consider.

9/1

6th

8

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Ganapathi

10st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

After dropping down the weights he's run really well to finish second on his last three starts (2m4f/2m7f, good/good to soft); edging back up the handicap but every chance he'll be thereabouts once more.

6/1

6th

8

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Ganapathi

10st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

towards rear

6/1

Form: 17-U63 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Talented Flat performer and hurdler who is open to improvement on this second chase start; however, he has plenty to find with Since Day One and Tommy's Oscar judged on their clash at Newcastle (2m, soft) three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Cormier

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Brian Ellison

Has six wins on the Flat but his last of four successes over hurdles came four years ago; continues to drop in the weights without looking likely to take advantage.

7/1

6th

7

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

15:20 Newcastle

Cormier

11st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

Remains capable at the age of 10 (won on the Flat in October) but it's been hard work back over hurdles, albeit in a pair of Class 2 handicaps; looks vulnerable.

14/1

4

(8)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:32 Nottingham

Cormier

9st 10lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Useful dual-purpose performer in his youth; had a long spell on the sidelines prior to his return in February and he's struggled on the Flat and over hurdles this year; down in the weights and he was prominent in the betting last time so he can't be dismissed.

6/1

Form: 0-6511 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Relished the switch to fences with ready wins on first two chase starts (2m, good to soft/soft); another good run when second in C&D handicap (good) yesterday but has something to find if running again today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Saint Segal

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Progressive front-runner who has won two handicaps this term (2m3f/2m1f, good to firm/soft) and came second in the Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, heavy) in February; a bad mistake at the first fence all but ended his race in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month; sent off 50-1 at the Festival and his form has to go to a new level if he's to pose a threat today.

50/1

10

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Saint Segal

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Acts on any ground; has become a very consistent chaser; form figures this term read 12122, the second-place finishes in Grade 2 events, including handicaps; ran creditably behind a leading novice in the Game Spirit at Newbury most recently; even if he gives his running again, that won't be nearly enough to trouble the judge now that he is upped further in class; a lot to find.

50/1

2nd

7

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:45 Newbury

Saint Segal

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Acts on soft ground; has become a very consistent handicap chaser; form figures this term read 1212, the second-place finishes behind progressive Thistle Ask in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton; better than ever, has won at Newbury and looks sure to run his race; rock-solid claims.

7/2

Non-runners

Saint Segal

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.60
Straight Forecast £3.70
Trifecta £7.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Boothill

RP Ratings:

Tommy's Oscar

D Express:

Since Day One

TOPSPEED:

Boothill

POSTDATA:

Boothill

WEST COUNTRY:

Boothill

The Times:

Boothill

Telegraph:

Boothill

Daily Mail:

Boothill

Daily Mirror:

Boothill

The Sun:

Boothill

Daily Record:

Boothill

The Guardian:

Tommy's Oscar

The Star:

Tommy's Oscar