March 19 / 13.30 Chepstow

13.30

Soft

Cazoo Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4465.72
  • 2m 3f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Cazoo Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.20
  • Place: £1.10

Form: U3

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten when unseating two out on his debut in October; better effort when third of 15 at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) in January; open to further progress and he's one of the likelier types.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 4

15:00 Ludlow

Tzarmix

11st 10lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alastair Ralph

Back from a break with a clearcut win over C&D (good to soft) in December and he's finished runner-up in three subsequent starts; up another 2lb but he had a near-miss at Market Rasen (2m7f) last time and this return to quicker ground is no problem (won a point on good to firm); respected.

100/30

2nd

2

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:37 Market Rasen

Tzarmix

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Twice runner-up since his impressive Ludlow return (3m, good to soft) in December, coming clear with the winner over C&D last time (fourth and fifth have won since); up another 3lb, but likely to be bang there once again.

11/2

2nd

3

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

13:28 Market Rasen

Tzarmix

11st 11lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alastair Ralph

Returned from break with clear win at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) last month and was not discredited when close/clear second off same mark at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) soon afterwards; 6lb higher now but still respected in current mood.

7/1

OUR TIP

2/5

  • Place: £1.02

Form: 1-12

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
The winner of a bumper and a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las on his first two starts; upped to Grade 1 company at Sandown ten weeks ago when he was a very creditable second to Tahmuras in the Tolworth, fourth jumping the last but sticking on well; ready for today's extra yardage and he should be hard to beat in this less-demanding company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

16:13 Chepstow

LAstroboy

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Evan Williams

Very lightly raced 9yo who was a highly promising novice during 2022-23 season; returned from mammoth absence with two low-key handicap runs this winter but may yet stage a revival; market reference recommended.

14/1

5th

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 3

15:30 Hereford

LAstroboy

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Evan Williams

Won his first two starts (bumper/hurdle) in 2022 before two runner-up efforts, including in Grade 1 novice at Sandown (2m, soft); well held on handicap debut there last month but that was after a mammoth absence and he's still unexposed; one of two runners for Evan Williams and he needs watching in market.

10/1

2nd

1

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:30 Chepstow

LAstroboy

11st 12lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

The winner of a bumper and a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las on his first two starts; upped to Grade 1 company at Sandown ten weeks ago when he was a very creditable second to Tahmuras in the Tolworth, fourth jumping the last but sticking on well; ready for today's extra yardage and he should be hard to beat in this less-demanding company.

2/5

100/1

  • Place: £8.30

Form: 577-89

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nothing to write home about in four bumpers or two novice hurdles for Ben Lund; not easy to fancy on his stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Exmoor Forest

11st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Placed in three consecutive chases during the winter (2m7f-3m, good to soft) but this first hurdling start since March 2024 comes after a five-month break, so his fitness must be taken on trust.

12/1

2

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:35 Taunton

Exmoor Forest

11st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Creditable third over C&D (good to soft) in December, after a wind op, and probably bettered that performance when filling same position at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month; remains on a workable mark and seems likely to be right in the thick of things again.

9/2

Form: 3776

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promise in points; has also hinted at ability in bumpers/hurdles but unlikely to reveal his full potential until handicapping over further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

15

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Hes My Shadow

10st 13lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Free-goer who ran big race from the front when fourth in C&D (soft) novice last March; safely held in both subsequent handicaps and has fitness to prove after 235-day absence but still worth a second look.

20/1

4th

2

3rd Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

20:55 Stratford

Hes My Shadow

11st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Free-going front-runner perhaps not seen to best effect over Chepstow's 2m3f the last twice (soft/good to soft), the latest his handicap debut; return to this trip looks a positive and interesting to see what effect the hood has.

6/1

10

9th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:48 Ffos Las

Hes My Shadow

11st 7lb

J: Mitchell Bastyan

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Enthusiastic front-runner who hasn't got home over 2m3f at Chepstow the last twice (soft/good to soft) including on handicap debut last time; return to this trip looks a positive and interesting to see what effect the hood has.

12/1

Form: 3-28

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in her first two bumpers but she ran poorly at Uttoxeter 11 weeks ago; should appreciate this trip now hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Ottoline

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Failed to offer much in two chase runs last season and again struggled back over hurdles; steadied the ship when back over fences at Haydock (3m1f, soft) but not many completed and her jumping became iffy in the closing stages; others preferred.

8/1

6

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Ottoline

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Failed to offer much in two chase runs last season and again struggled back over hurdles; steadied the ship when back over fences at Haydock (3m1f, soft) but not many completed and her jumping became iffy in the closing stages; others preferred.

8/1

3rd

7

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Ottoline

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Failed to shine on her two chase starts last season and pulled up on reappearance over hurdles; however, this lightly raced 8yo looked good when winning a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m6f, heavy) last December and she may be the latest Venetia Williams runner to excel on testing ground at Haydock.

10/1

Form: 507

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bred to have a future over obstacles but she needs to leave her bumper/C&D hurdle efforts well behind her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

Won two soft-ground chases (both 2m3f) in early 2025 and has posted some good efforts in defeat this season; looked laboured and was below form here (2m, soft) last month but can be dangerous off current mark if back on song in first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

4th

4

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 6lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Matt Sheppard

Won three times last season on soft/heavy ground; runner-up on first three starts this term then fifth at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) 17 days ago when three places behind Royal Mer; today's forecast slow ground could aid her cause.

9/4

1st

6

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:00 Chepstow

Passing Kate

10st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Matt Sheppard

Three-time hurdle winner who kept on well to make winning chase debut at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month; pulled up at Wincanton since, having made made jumping errors at consecutive fences, but still has scope to for further progress in this sphere.

8/1

Form: 77

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Minor promise in a bumper here in December; well beaten on his hurdle debut at Fontwell six weeks ago (2m1f, good); likelihood is that he's a longer-term prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:35 Newton Abbot

Bohemian Lad

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Anthony Honeyball

towards rear on outer, headway and in touch with leaders before 3 out

40/1

7th

2

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:30 Chepstow

Bohemian Lad

11st 5lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Minor promise in a bumper here in December; well beaten on his hurdle debut at Fontwell six weeks ago (2m1f, good); likelihood is that he's a longer-term prospect.

66/1

7th

3

6th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:30 Fontwell

Bohemian Lad

11st 7lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

in touch with leaders, not fluent 4th, bad mistake and dropped to rear 5th, soon reminders, struggling when slightly hampered 4 out

20/1

Form: 365

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner; encouraging rules debut in a bumper here in November; minor promise in two hurdle starts since but handicaps likely to be his forte after this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Talkingtothemoon

10st 12lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

2m4f maiden point winner in 2022; third on rules debut in a bumper that November but singularly failed to reproduce the form in three starts over hurdles that season; returns from 671 days off and is tongue tied for handicap debut over a new trip; worth a market check.

14/1

4th

8

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Talkingtothemoon

10st 12lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

2m4f maiden point winner in 2022; third on rules debut in a bumper that November but singularly failed to reproduce the form in three starts over hurdles that season; returns from 671 days off and is tongue tied for handicap debut over a new trip; worth a market check.

14/1

8th

6

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:30 Chepstow

Talkingtothemoon

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Point winner; encouraging rules debut in a bumper here in November; minor promise in two hurdle starts since but handicaps likely to be his forte after this.

20/1

Form: 30

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in a Wincanton bumper on debut (RPR 96; sent off 3-1 third favourite) in November; 80-1 and tailed off over C&D on hurdle debut 12 weeks ago; has since left Anthony Honeyball (same owner); best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:07 Worcester

Whynotnowroy

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Neil Mulholland

0-5 over fences but looked suited by the drop back in trip and gave very good account when second of ten over C&D (good) in June; player off same mark if still in same form after 111-day break.

7/1

2nd

8

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Worcester

Whynotnowroy

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Neil Mulholland

Won a 2m5f hurdle for former yard; good runs for this one in both disciplines but tailed off in his last three races, all handicap chases at about 3m.

8/1

2nd

6

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

Whynotnowroy

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Neil Mulholland

in touch with leaders, smooth headway 14th, lost ground quickly before 3 out, weakened 2 out

12/1

Form:

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to useful chaser Oscar Elite but he was sent off at 16-1 and beaten 199l in a Southwell bumper seven weeks ago; not easily recommended on that evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

8th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:10 Uttoxeter

Nitwit

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Has shown pretty much nothing in a bumper and 2m3f novice hurdle; in good hands and, as a half-brother to former smart staying chaser Oscar Elite, going up in distance should at least be a positive.

20/1

5

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:30 Chepstow

Nitwit

11st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Half-brother to useful chaser Oscar Elite but he was sent off at 16-1 and beaten 199l in a Southwell bumper seven weeks ago; not easily recommended on that evidence.

25/1

10th

5

29th Jan 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:25 Southwell

Nitwit

11st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Half-brother to smart hurdler/chaser Oscar Elite but jockey bookings would suggest that Cawthorne Banker is the yard's main hope on this occasion.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.50
Straight Forecast £4.78
Trifecta £80.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

L'Astroboy

WEST COUNTRY:

Talkingtothemoon

RP Ratings:

L'Astroboy

TOPSPEED:

L'Astroboy

POSTDATA:

L'Astroboy

The Times:

L'Astroboy

Telegraph:

L'Astroboy

D Express:

L'Astroboy

Daily Mirror:

L'Astroboy

The Sun:

L'Astroboy

The Star:

L'Astroboy

Daily Record:

L'Astroboy