March 03 / 15.25 Newbury

15.25

Good

Focus Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9585.01
  • 2m 3f 187y
  • Class 3
  • 3 runners
RTV
View Course
Focus Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 3 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38

Form: -71552 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Prolific over hurdles from 1m7f to 2m3f (good-soft); didn't show much on his chase debut but ran a lot better at Kempton (2m2f, good) when only conceding late on to one who rallied after a late mistake; obvious contender off just 1lb higher.
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: 33-11P D

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler but easily his best form yet in winning small-field handicap chases at Chepstow and Doncaster (again 2m3f on good); softer ground shouldn't have been an issue here two months ago but the longer trip of 2m6f might have been; 7lb above last winning mark but needs considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Nothin To Ask

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

disputed lead, prominent before 2nd, weakened on turn after 13th, soon pulled up

5/1

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Nothin To Ask

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

disputed lead, prominent before 2nd, weakened on turn after 13th, soon pulled up

5/1

2nd

1

14th Dec 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

13:22 Newcastle

Nothin To Ask

11st 10lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

raced in third, slightly hampered but left in second 8th, went clear with winner 12th, not fluent 5 out, no chance with winner when jumped slightly left 2 out, awkward jump last, kept on

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: 2-2215 D BF

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Bumper/hurdle winner; after two seconds over fences he won unchallenged from the front in a Plumpton handicap (2m3f, good) in November; finished well held at Wetherby (after a 5lb rise) but he was held up that day and some mistakes didn't help; capable of bouncing back following a wind operation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

19:25 Worcester

Brief Times

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual chase winner last summer (3m, good to soft/good) but his latest start over hurdles was in April 2022, and we haven't seen him since he ran as though something was amiss in October.

7/1

0

5

28th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Cheltenham

Brief Times

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Neil Mulholland

Returned to form with two 3m wins this summer (good to soft/good) but was just a respectable third off today's career-high mark at Worcester (2m7f, good) in August and may find this race too competitive.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.10
Straight Forecast £4.64
Trifecta £4.30

Selections

RP Ratings:

Herbiers

WEST COUNTRY:

Nothin To Ask

SPOTLIGHT:

Brief Times

Daily Mail:

Brief Times

TOPSPEED:

Herbiers

POSTDATA:

Herbiers

The Times:

Herbiers

Telegraph:

Herbiers

The Guardian:

Herbiers

The Sun:

Herbiers

Daily Record:

Herbiers

D Express:

Nothin To Ask

Daily Mirror:

Nothin To Ask

The Star:

Nothin To Ask