March 08 / 14.50 Catterick

14.50

Good

Easby Abbey Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 3f 51y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Easby Abbey Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 6-6556

Last run: 38 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Disappointing on handicap hurdle debut at Sedgefield in January but he showed ability in that sphere previously and this lightly raced point runner-up could appreciate the switch to fences; no surprise to see a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

18:05 Kelso

Upagainstit

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won a Warwick novice handicap chase (2m, soft) off an 8lb higher mark in March 2023; fair run when over hurdles at Bangor in June (2m, good); cheekpieces tried; bit to prove.

7/1

10th

2

21st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

Upagainstit

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Generally disappointing since winning chase debut in March 2023 but posted a couple of decent efforts over hurdles in June (albeit a late faller on latter occasion) and reverts to fences with renewed hope.

8/1

7

28th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

18:48 Bangor-on-Dee

Upagainstit

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Narrow winner off 7lb higher over fences at Warwick (2m, soft) last March; has not matched that form since but he returned to hurdling with a second in C&D novice (good) three weeks ago; was allowed to dictate in that race but that was more like it and he's in the mix back in a handicap; one of two runners for yard.

5/1

Form: 904721

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
In good form over hurdles last month and won at Newcastle 11 days ago; 1lb lower now back over fences and has shown some promise in this discipline, but her chasing record isn't convincing and she can jump to the right, which is a concern here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

18th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

15:40 Leicester

Moonlight Glory

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Mark Walford

taken down early

25/1

10th

10

18th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

15:40 Leicester

Moonlight Glory

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Mark Walford

taken down early

25/1

9th

3

26th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Moonlight Glory

11st 10lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Mark Walford

9yo with six successes to her name; now 7lb below her last winning mark but not seriously threatening to take advantage, fading when fifth of seven at Hexham on latest; needs a revival.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 55321U D

Last run: 126 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
In fair form prior to winning by 20l at Market Rasen (2m3f, good to soft) last October; major player if repeating that form but it was a first win at the 21st attempt and he was beaten when unseating two out at Musselburgh in November; hard to know what to expect now back from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

14:40 Market Rasen

Livings Boy An Co

10st 8lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Wainwright

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, hit 10th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

16/1

10

10th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Livings Boy An Co

10st 5lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Wainwright

towards rear

9/1

10

10th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Livings Boy An Co

10st 5lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Wainwright

towards rear

9/1

Form: 705413

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) last month on second chase run and solid third over hurdles at Carlisle (3m1f, good to soft) since; the drop back in trip isn't an obvious plus but he has plenty in his favour otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Ribeye

12st 0lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Peter Atkinson

Two wins last season, the second off 3lb lower over C&D in October (good); hasn't been in quite such good form in 2026, but has had a break and can't be rule out.

14/1

6th

5

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:38 Sedgefield

Ribeye

11st 3lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Peter Atkinson

Five chase wins, the latest off 5lb lower at Hexham (3m, good) in October; creditable second to very progressive rival at Wetherby (3m, good) on next outing but form has slumped since (hurdling last time).

10/1

9

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:37 Market Rasen

Ribeye

11st 3lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Peter Atkinson

Stays at least this far and was in good form over fences for most of last year, but he has a bit to prove against younger rivals on his first start over hurdles in almost three years.

14/1

Form: 337645 C

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on hurdle exploits as recent as last October but his subsequent hurdle/Flat form has been mixed and he's won just one of his 50 starts; his claims are hardly compelling on this chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

13:15 Stratford

Coup De Gold

10st 9lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Made the frame twice in the spring (2m4f/2m5f) but was well beaten at Cartmel three months ago with no obvious excuse; just two wins from 45 attempts over hurdles and he's fully exposed.

10/1

8

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Coup De Gold

10st 9lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Has very modest 2-44 strike-rate over hurdles but made the frame on both starts in the spring (2m4f/2m5f) and is suited by this C&D; won't mind what the weather does; probably won't be far away.

6/1

Form: 5P4233

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
0-11 (0-8 over fences) but he's run well in defeat on his last three starts (2m-2m5f, heavy-good) and can give another good account; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

15th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:40 Southwell

Coolmoyne

10st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

jumped right on occasions, prominent, weakening when not fluent 2 out

12/1

5

15th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:40 Southwell

Coolmoyne

10st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

1-24 over fences, the win for a different stable at Hexham (3m, good to soft) last May; ran well when second of five at Doncaster (2m4f, good) in February but was below that form when back at Hexham last month and is not the percentage call here.

12/1

4th

3

25th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:50 Hexham

Coolmoyne

11st 6lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Has a poor strike-rate but his sole win came over C&D (good to soft) last May and, following wind surgery, he returned to form with a close second of five at Doncaster (2m4f, good) last month; he's one to consider.

9/4

Form: 5-U483

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Runner-up over hurdles three times and she's dropped down the weights, but she made it 0-21 when a well-beaten third on last month's chase debut here and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

15:00 Catterick

Zaras Universe

10st 3lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Andrew Crook

10yo who is inconsistent and hasn't made an impact on her last two starts, but before those she was second at Southwell (2m, good to soft) and is 5lb lower than when second in this last year; not discounted.

12/1

6th

5

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:55 Market Rasen

Zaras Universe

11st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Andrew Crook

raced in second, lost position briefly 5th

6/1

Form: 8P06-P

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced point runner-up for whom there is a rethink on trip on this second chase start; however, he didn't jump well and was pulled up over fences at Sedgefield (3m3f) in January, and is probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:00 Southwell

Gemini Fire

10st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Henry Hogarth

held up in rear

33/1

9

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 202y

Class 5

15:45 Sedgefield

Gemini Fire

10st 10lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Henry Hogarth

held up in last

25/1

Form: 254857

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Placed a few times over hurdles but well beaten in that sphere the last twice and now 0-28; now goes chasing; others make greater appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

16:27 Market Rasen

Brickadank

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Micky Hammond

Hasn't been in the best of form in three runs this season (well-beaten eighth of nine over 2m at Newcastle last week); 4lb out of the handicap; blinkers replace cheekpieces; hard to fancy.

20/1

8th

10

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 5

16:00 Newcastle

Brickadank

10st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Improved for cheekpieces last season, winning his last two races, both on soft ground at Market Rasen (2m3f/2m1f) in February/March; not hit form so far this season, but on his last winning mark and stable going better now.

50/1

8th

10

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

15:20 Newcastle

Brickadank

10st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

A longstanding maiden until bagging two soft-ground handicap chases at Market Rasen (extended 2m3f and 2m2f) last February/March; pulled up there six weeks ago when back from eight months off but a return to peak efforts would put him in the mix.

14/1

Verdict

The lightly raced COOLMOYNE is taken to land a first win having been running well in defeat behind some progressive winners. Point runner-up Upagainstit is feared most on his chase debut, ahead of Market Rasen winner Ribeye.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

Telegraph:

Ribeye

RP Ratings:

Moonlight Glory

D Express:

Upagainstit

SPOTLIGHT:

Coolmoyne

The Guardian:

Living's Boy An Co

Daily Mail:

Ribeye

The Sun:

Ribeye

The Star:

Ribeye

Daily Record:

Ribeye

POSTDATA:

Moonlight Glory

The Times:

Moonlight Glory

Daily Mirror:

Moonlight Glory