October 06 / 15.45 Hexham

15.45

Soft

Martin Bowler Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6257.98
  • 1m 7f 133y
  • Class 4
  • 5 runners
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Martin Bowler Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 21042- D

Last run: 202 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Didn't progress after winning Kelso novice hurdle (2m, soft) last autumn but gave good account when second of four behind useful rival on latest outing in March and Lucinda Russell is evidently keen to switch him to chasing; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

16:12 Kelso

Chapel Green

11st 4lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won over C&D off a 6lb higher mark in September (good); has not fared quite as well since, although more encouraging run when 13l third of seven over 2m1f here last time (good); step back up in trip will suit.

7/1

3rd

2

6th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

16:32 Kelso

Chapel Green

11st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won over 2m5f here following a 163-day break last September (good) but rather disappointing since; on a good mark now, but a bit to prove.

14/1

OUR TIP

2/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 11227- D

Last run: 216 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Promising novice hurdler last season, winning twice; found Grade 2 race too hot on latest start in March but this Irish point winner will be suited by today's ground and could have a good future over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Ayr

General Officer

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Progressive novice who was suited by the return to a left-handed track when winning at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) last month; also effective on soft/heavy; this is a tougher test of his credentials than last time but he's up just 2lb and could continue to improve for last year's winning yard.

9/1

9

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Ayr

General Officer

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Progressive novice who was suited by the return to a left-handed track when winning at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) last month; also effective on soft/heavy; this is a tougher test of his credentials than last time but he's up just 2lb and could continue to improve for last year's winning yard.

9/1

1st

3

2nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

16:00 Kelso

General Officer

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders, raced in second from 2nd, led just before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on, always doing enough

4/1

Form: /72P7-

Last run: 266 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
0-4 over fences last season, with best run his well-held second at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) on second outing; had wind surgery during 266-day break and has been given a chance by the handicapper but others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:42 Newcastle

Hello Judge

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Ann Hamilton

Carlisle specialist; sits close to a career-high mark following a gritty win there (2m, good to soft) in February; "never travelling and jumped poorly" in the Monet's Garden Series Final there three weeks ago; bit to prove for the time being, even acknowledging a 2024 C&D win.

4/1

1

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Hello Judge

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Record of 6-10 over fences at Carlisle features wins in this race last year (on good ground) and latest outing (2m); on a career-high mark but commands major respect kept to this venue.

6/1

1st

7

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Carlisle

Hello Judge

11st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Won here (2m4f, good) in October and followed up at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft); below par at Newcastle and Wetherby since and arrives with something to prove, but he's back on his last winning mark and ten visits to Carlisle have yielded five wins (various ground); not ruled out now back here.

7/1

Form: 11-382 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner in March, latterly on heavy ground here (2m); left behind by clear winner when second here last month but still features prominently in calculations on this chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

15:45 Cartmel

Horn Cape

11st 10lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Ben Haslam

Very inconsistent nowadays and needs to bounce back from tame effort in valuable handicap hurdle here three weeks ago but ran well from the front when second in C&D (good) chase in May and has claims if judged on that.

5/1

2

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 2

15:50 Cartmel

Horn Cape

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Quickly switches back to hurdling after good second over fences here (2m1f, good) last month; does not have much margin for error off current mark but will cope a lot better than some of these if the ground ends up heavy.

8/1

1

24th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

18:08 Cartmel

Horn Cape

11st 10lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Ben Haslam

Six-time hurdle winner on soft/heavy ground; reverts to fences on a tempting mark but was well beaten in his only previous chase (in October 2023) and there may not be enough rain about for him today.

3/1

Form: 48-102 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Scored over hurdles here (2m4f, good) in June and game effort from the front when second over that trip here last month; should also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination on chasing debut; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Uttoxeter

Fennas Loss

10st 2lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Stephen Allen

Might be glad to see the back of fences but it's been a long time since he showed his true form over hurdles.

50/1

7

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:15 Worcester

Fennas Loss

10st 10lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Stephen Allen

Started off for current stable with three heavy defeats over hurdles last summer (2m-2m4f) and was again well beaten when reappearing in a recent 2m chase here; big leap of faith required to support him.

33/1

4

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:40 Worcester

Fennas Loss

11st 2lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Stephen Allen

Started off for current stable with three heavy defeats over hurdles last summer; reverts to chasing after 284-day absence; big leap of faith required to support him.

25/1

Non-runners

Belvedere Blast, Fete Champetre

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.90
Straight Forecast £9.24
Trifecta £31.80

Selections

POSTDATA:

Chapel Green

SPOTLIGHT:

General Officer

THE NORTH:

Fenna's Loss

RP RATINGS:

Hello Judge

Daily Record:

Horn Cape

Telegraph:

Chapel Green

D Express:

Chapel Green

Daily Mirror:

Chapel Green

The Star:

Chapel Green

The Times:

General Officer

The Guardian:

General Officer

The Sun:

General Officer

Daily Mail:

Fenna's Loss