June 07 / 16.45 Newton Abbot

16.45

Good

Visit attheraces.com Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5527.68
  • 2m 4f 216y
  • Class 4
  • 4 runners
SKY
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Visit attheraces.com Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/13 (Won)

  • Win: £1.29

Form: 696-11 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Unable to win in maiden points this spring but transformed since joining Fergal O'Brien, romping home in two handicaps; 12lb higher than for the second of them, over C&D last week, but hat-trick is on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Chief Black Robe

11st 12lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Difficult times since back from absence last June but he's dropped a long way in the weights and there have been some signs of life; non-stayer over the extended 3m3f at Stratford recently (Carpe Diem runner-up) but he didn't run badly and better is expected.

4/1

3rd

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Chief Black Robe

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Back with his former trainer on his last five starts; landed a four-timer for this yard in 2023; hasn't won since and has failed to complete on his last two starts; visor worn last time is left off; well handicapped if able to return to anywhere near his best form.

5/1

2

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:30 Hereford

Chief Black Robe

11st 12lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Needs to rebound quickly from a poor hurdle run 16 days ago but last month's second over fences at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) was a pretty good effort and the forecast faster ground here ought to suit him better; big player if first-time visor has desired effect.

9/2

Form: 624-22

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
0-8 over fences but runner-up in three of his latest four efforts (in a tongue-strap on most recent pair); no match for the winner at Worcester 12 days ago but every reason to expect another solid display.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

1st Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

14:45 Exeter

Balko Saint

11st 10lb

J: Mr Peter Summers

T: Jane Williams

Very well handicapped on some of last year's placed form but returned from break with three below-par runs in the autumn and needs to turn a corner; won a heavy-ground hurdle in France in 2021 but may be best suited by good ground.

16/1

7th

7

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:05 Taunton

Balko Saint

11st 2lb

J: Mr Peter Summers

T: Jane Williams

Runner-up four times over fences at up to 2m5f during the spring/summer but below par in a hurdle race/chase at Wincanton since returning from a break; up in trip; others have less to prove.

20/1

Form: /45-93 C

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Finished 25l behind Balko Saint at Worcester last month on return to chasing but was in front of that rival until the final fence before weakening quickly; chances of reversing those places may depend on effect of blinkers, replacing usual cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

2nd Nov 2023

Soft

2m 2f 66y

12:55 Thurles

Umndeni

11st 12lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Cian Collins

jumped left on occasions, didn't always jump with fluency, led and pushed along briefly, soon clear, reduced lead when not fluent 8th, headed after 2 out, lost second and weakened home turn

14/1

5th

10

12th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 5f 150y

16:55 Tramore

Umndeni

11st 12lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Cian Collins

Three-time hurdle winner when trained in UK where he has finished a modest 3rd on three of his four chase starts; needs a return to form.

12/1

5th

4

23rd Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Listowel

Umndeni

12st 0lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Michael Collins

pressed leader, weakened before last (usual 2 out)

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2117-P C

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Did well over hurdles last year, winning twice (including here); too bad to be true on chasing debut at Kempton a month ago (lacked fluency and suddenly weakened soon after halfway); should leave that behind in due course but possibly best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

Bagheera Ginge

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made all in small field at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in September but absent since running poorly in Sedgefield marathon three weeks later and needs to resume in peak form to have a chance off current mark; swaps usual cheekpieces for first-time visor.

7/1

4

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 5f 48y

Class 2

16:06 Sedgefield

Bagheera Ginge

10st 10lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

First chase win was in October 2023 and the second wasn't until last month but he thoroughly dominated a four-runner race at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) on that latest outing, returning to his best; unraced beyond that and needs to find a bit extra given he's back up 7lb, so connections enlist 7lb-claiming amateur who's already won a hurdle race for them this week.

9/2

1st

5

29th Sep 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

16:16 Newton Abbot

Bagheera Ginge

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from layoff with low-key hurdle run in May but has finished close up in two Worcester chases (both 2m7f, good) since; remains on a good mark and is also suited by this track; major player if stamina holds out over this new trip.

15/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.50
Straight Forecast £2.83
Trifecta £4.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Chief Black Robe

The Star:

Bagheera Ginge

WEST COUNTRY:

Balko Saint

RP RATINGS:

Chief Black Robe

TOPSPEED:

Chief Black Robe

POSTDATA:

Chief Black Robe

The Times:

Chief Black Robe

Telegraph:

Chief Black Robe

The Guardian:

Chief Black Robe

Daily Mail:

Chief Black Robe

D Express:

Chief Black Robe

Daily Mirror:

Chief Black Robe

The Sun:

Chief Black Robe

Daily Record:

Chief Black Robe