March 18 / 13.30 Kempton

13.30

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £11301.34
  • 2m 2f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
ITV4
View Course
Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 33-211

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Has done very well since joining this yard and has easily made all in this hood on his first two chase starts (2m5f, good to soft/good); today's assignment is tougher but this progressive 8yo may well be up to it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Whistleinthedark

11st 0lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: L J Morgan

11yo who was tailed off at Cheltenham in December and pulled up at Haydock this month on sole run since; arrives with something to prove but three visits to Perth have yielded two wins, including this race in 2023, so he's worth a second look; a first-time visor replaces cheekpieces.

25/1

9

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Whistleinthedark

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: L J Morgan

Inconsistent last year but won twice (3m/2m4f, good/soft), those victories coming on the back of respective breaks of 89 and 120 days; may be best caught fresh nowadays so is worth a second look after 113 days off.

33/1

1

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:43 Perth

Whistleinthedark

12st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Back in rude health over C&D (good) in May, easily beating Saint Arvans to win by 20l, and his subsequent Market Rasen fourth (2m5f, good) was also a good effort; still well handicapped on old form; shortlisted.

3/1

Form: 423112 BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Off the mark over fences at the fourth attempt at Taunton (2m, soft) in January and he followed up at Exeter (2m3f, good); second of three at Wincanton (2m4f, good) since and needs to better that performance here, but it was still a solid run and he may have more to offer for his top yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

Cap Du Mathan

12st 4lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Former useful handicapper and won a soft-ground 2m hunter chase early last year; back from an absence with a second at Ludlow and nothing wrong with his third in a deeper race than this at Cheltenham (2m4f); good chance.

13/8

2

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

Cap Du Mathan

12st 4lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Former useful handicapper and won a soft-ground 2m hunter chase early last year; back from an absence with a second at Ludlow and nothing wrong with his third in a deeper race than this at Cheltenham (2m4f); good chance.

13/8

3rd

5

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Cap Du Mathan

12st 1lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: Paul Nicholls

took keen hold, midfield, in touch with leaders 7th, went third approaching last, not pace to challenge

8/1

Form: 43-883

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Having dropped down the weights he returned to form with a good third of five over C&D last month in a first-time tongue-tie (retained; cheekpieces now added); now 0-7 over fences and takes on some progressive rivals, but it will be no surprise to see another prominent finish.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

31st Mar 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

15:40 Plumpton

Any News

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won at Worcester, Wetherby (walked over) and Exeter in the autumn, from 15 starts in total over fences; unraced beyond 3m but stayed on gamely to take 11-runner race over that trip (good) last time and this distance looks worth a go; 5lb higher today but has gone well on occasions after a layoff and needs plenty of respect.

5/1

1st

2

24th Oct 2023

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

15:00 Exeter

Any News

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Walked over last week at Wetherby; the ground was too soft the time before and he had previously opened his account over fences by 10l in a small field at Worcester (2m7f, good; 6lb lower); consistency is not his forte.

8/1

1st

2

18th Oct 2023

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 3

17:15 Wetherby

Any News

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Neil Mulholland

Belatedly opened account over fences with 10l success at Worcester (2m7f, good) last month and remains well handicapped on older form; subsequent defeat on soft ground should not be viewed too harshly; sets his rival a good standard of chasing form.

Evs

OUR TIP

Form: 6231-1

Last run: 121 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Headstrong sort who made all on chase/handicap debut at Wincanton (1m7f, good) in November, with Cap Du Mathan (who has won twice since) in second; absent since but that latest win came when fresh and this unexposed 6yo is open to further improvement; has shown promise on soft/good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Stormin Crossgales

11st 7lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Max Young

Four chase wins last season and he's well handicapped on his best form; however, he's struggled this term; cheekpieces go on.

66/1

5

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Stormin Crossgales

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Max Young

Four chase wins last season and well handicapped on his best form; however, pulled up on first two runs this term and 200-1 when unseating early at Ludlow last month; plenty to prove.

100/1

3

1st Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:35 Fakenham

Stormin Crossgales

11st 11lb

J: David Noonan

T: Max Young

Signed off for the Pogson stable with victory in a two-runner claimer over C&D and then joined Max Young for £5,000; it was a good-quality handicap in which he struggled at Aintree and this is easier.

16/1

Form: /1147P

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner (good to soft) who won his first two hurdle starts last May/June (2m3f/2m5f, good) then was unplaced in two Grade 2s in the autumn; didn't jump well and pulled up on last month's chase debut at Haydock (2m4f, good to soft); not written off for top yard but something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

13th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:50 Ayr

Quid Pro Quo

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

raced in second, mistake 4 out, not fluent and lost position 3 out

12/1

6th

2

13th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:50 Ayr

Quid Pro Quo

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

raced in second, mistake 4 out, not fluent and lost position 3 out, no impression after 2 out

12/1

11th

1

16th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

17:03 Wetherby

Quid Pro Quo

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Bumper/hurdle/chase winner at up to 2m6f for Dan Skelton; placed on first four starts over fences last season, but absent for over a year and changed yards since finishing a well-beaten fifth of six at Warwick in October (2m4f, good); probably best watched back over hurdles after a year off.

14/1

Form: /223-F

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Failed to progress for Paul Nicholls and, following an absence, he was tailed off on his recent stable debut at Sandown when falling at the final fence; may have needed that last run but is probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

14

29th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

16:04 Wincanton

Atholl Street

11st 1lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Alexandra Dunn

Five starts for this yard, failing to finish in two chases and tailed off in his three races back hurdling; way down the weights.

66/1

5th

6

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

14:05 Newton Abbot

Atholl Street

11st 2lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Alexandra Dunn

Four starts for this yard; failed to finish in two chases and twice tailed off back hurdling; tongue-strap returns.

50/1

8th

9

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

19:00 Chepstow

Atholl Street

10st 9lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Alexandra Dunn

Became rather disappointing for Paul Nicholls last season and has struggled to get competitive for new stable this term, most recently when tailed off here (2m3f) on recent return to hurdling; revival needed.

50/1

Form: -FPP22

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Back to form when runner-up at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) last month and occupied same position at Chepstow (2m3f, good) last time; up in grade here and needs something extra to win but might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Triple Trade

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Still on a good mark despite winning twice this season (2m/2m4f; soft/good) and was 11-2 for the veterans' final over C&D earlier this month, only to depart early; has a lot in his favour so merits each-way consideration.

16/1

12

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Triple Trade

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Two wins this season (2m/2m4f, soft/good) and 10l third behind an 8yo and a 7yo at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January; 20l fourth in another competitive handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in February but that form is working out well and he's back against fellow veterans today; chance.

11/1

4th

9

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Triple Trade

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has a solid record (1313) over 2m/2m4f this season but gained the wins in Class 3 and finished 10l behind a couple of younger rivals, albeit not disgraced, in Class 1 at Cheltenham most recently; the 10yo looks under some pressure kept to this level.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £15.08

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Stormin Crossgales

RP Ratings:

Whistleinthedark

TOPSPEED:

Any News

POSTDATA:

Cap Du Mathan

WEST COUNTRY:

Triple Trade

The Times:

Stormin Crossgales

D Express:

Stormin Crossgales

Daily Mirror:

Triple Trade

Daily Mail:

Whistleinthedark

Daily Record:

Whistleinthedark

Telegraph:

Any News

The Guardian:

Any News

The Sun:

Cap Du Mathan

The Star:

Cap Du Mathan