January 23 / 14.35 Newbury

14.35

Good To Soft

Remembering Bob Olney Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6337.2
  • 2m 6f 93y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
SKY
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Remembering Bob Olney Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.50
  • Place: £3.50

Form: 6-7526 C

Last run: 39 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Clear best effort over fences when second at Hereford (3m1f, good) in November; had wind surgery since last run; now wears first-time headgear; sole start at Newbury resulted in 3m hurdle win off 1lb higher; interesting back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Abuffalosoldier

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Front-runner who reappeared with a rallying second at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month and he's back in cheekpieces today, in which he showed improved form earlier this year (including 10l win at Newbury); only seven and there's every chance this trip will be within range; one to consider.

11/2

1st

9

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Abuffalosoldier

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

jumped well, made all, kept on well, ridden out, collapsed after finish, heart attack

11/2

4

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

16:28 Exeter

Abuffalosoldier

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Not an instant success over fences last season but won by 10l in first-time cheekpieces at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) in January and signed off with creditable fourth in valuable novices' handicap at Ayr (3m, soft) in April; respected.

3/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: /4321/ C

Last run: 662 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Still unexposed; absent since opening his account in handicap hurdle here (3m, good; ran off this mark) in April 2022; has grown into a strapping chasing type, according to trainer in autumn Stable Tour; very interesting on return to action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Kempton

Blairgowrie

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Struggled with his jumping over fences and after a fall at Ludlow he finished tailed off back over hurdles at Newbury (2m4f; first-time blinkers); now has questions to answer.

12/1

12

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Kempton

Blairgowrie

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Struggled with his jumping over fences and after a fall at Ludlow he finished tailed off back over hurdles at Newbury (2m4f; first-time blinkers); now has questions to answer.

12/1

10th

11

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

13:45 Newbury

Blairgowrie

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

led, pressed leader when headed 6th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off

10/1

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 41-442 D BF

Last run: 71 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) last April; ran well switched to fences at Kempton (2m4f, good; clear second off 3lb lower) ten weeks ago and looks open to progress in this sphere; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Kings Threshold

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Emma Lavelle

Below form in Kim Muir at Cheltenham in March but showed career-best form when winning at Newbury (3m2f, good) just after Christmas and will be a danger to all here if back at that level in first-time cheekpieces.

8/1

16th

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Kings Threshold

11st 6lb

J: Mr H C Swan

T: Emma Lavelle

9yo who has a good strike-rate over fences and produced a career-best performance to win at Newbury (3m2f, good) in December when last seen; has also won on soft ground; had just five rivals to beat on that latest start but he was impressive and is not ruled out now 6lb higher.

25/1

Form: 33-463

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles in France; 0-8 in Britain but unexposed over fences and ran encouragingly in small field at Lingfield (2m4f, good to soft) most recently; runs off same mark, albeit in a deeper contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Invincible Nao

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Versatile sort who won over 2m4f here on reappearance and has performed respectably over marathon trips since; stiff task from 4lb out of handicap last time; not ruled out back off proper mark.

8/1

Form: 12-P53

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Scored over hurdles at Exeter (2m2f) last February; bounced back to form at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day when having third attempt over fences; bred to stay this new trip and could go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Earth King

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Five-time winner over hurdles who had looked to be in the grip of the handicapper since winning at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July; however, having come back down in the weights, he stayed on well to regain the winning thread at Hereford (3m1f, good) this month; going back up 4lb is a slight concern, but this looks an inviting opportunity if he repeats that effort.

9/4

1st

3

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:47 Hereford

Earth King

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Neil Mulholland

Four-time winner over hurdles who had looked to be in the grip of the handicapper since wining at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July; however, he's now back on that winning mark and his latest fourth of four at Taunton (3m, good) in a Class 3 was encouraging; respected.

6/1

4th

2

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

16:50 Taunton

Earth King

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Has four wins over hurdles but is 2lb above his last winning mark; returns from a break and probably needs to come down a few pounds.

9/2

Form: /2152/ D

Last run: 642 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
0-5 over fences; well treated on hurdles form but has to overcome a 21-month absence and it remains to be seen whether he retains ability now aged 11; best watched unless the betting speaks positively.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Trincomalee

11st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Solid record at about 3m and improved for the step up to 3m5f when winning Fakenham's Norfolk National (good; effective on soft) by more than 5l after travelling strongly throughout; effectively 13lb higher now as he's gone up 6lb and they claimed 7lb last time, so that asks a question of him.

9/4

1st

5

7th May 2024

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

Trincomalee

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Lucy Wadham

travelled strongly, towards rear, midfield 4th, went second 16th, not fluent when led 2 out, soon went clear, mistake last, ridden when jockey dropped whip on turn before last, kept on

9/2

1st

5

7th May 2024

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

Trincomalee

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Lucy Wadham

travelled strongly, towards rear, midfield 4th, went second 16th, not fluent when led 2 out, soon went clear, mistake last, ridden when jockey dropped whip on turn before last, kept on

9/2

Form: 2355-2 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Nearly opened her chase account at Ffos Las (2m5f, heavy; beaten narrowly) six weeks ago; however, now 3lb higher in a deeper race and is comparatively exposed, being 0-7 over fences; change of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

16:00 Leicester

Gazette Bourgeoise

11st 3lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

Built on November's promising reappearance when a wide-margin winner at Fakenham (2m5f, soft), but has failed to reproduce that level since and was pulled up at Taunton eight days ago; capable off this mark but she isn't the easiest to predict.

14/1

4

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

16:01 Taunton

Gazette Bourgeoise

11st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

Overall record of 4-35 but her last win was a dominant display at Fakenham (2m5f, soft) in December; still looks feasibly treated on that form but she's not easy to predict and was last of eight back at Fakenham last month; risks attached.

12/1

8th

2

18th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 44y

Class 2

14:40 Fakenham

Gazette Bourgeoise

11st 1lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

Not the force of old but exploited favourable mark when beating Jacks Touch by 21l in two-finisher C&D (soft) contest last month, her second C&D success; also suited by much faster ground but has gone back up 7lb.

4/1

Form: 15-225 BF

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Both hurdles wins at Wincanton; made the switch to chasing in the autumn, going close at Kempton (3m, good) then outstayed over 3m1f on slower ground at Plumpton; goes well fresh and has possibilities on return from 11-week break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Kempton

Island Run

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Both wins at Wincanton, the latest in a 3m handicap in 2023, but he's dropped to a handy mark and the latest run at Newbury (3m, good to soft), his third since returning from an absence, suggested he could be interesting with this lesser stamina test; can figure.

8/1

6th

14

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Island Run

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Gained his only wins at Wincanton in 2022 and 2023; not disgraced when runner-up in Class 5 at Lingfield (2m7f) most recently but looks unlikely to go one better in this stronger contest.

16/1

Form: 3-5136

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Bumper/hurdles winner; modest effort, having needed reminders at halfway, in Plumpton contest returned to fences (second attempt) on latest outing; in general terms, looks more exposed than many of these rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

14

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Baddesley

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

towards rear

20/1

13th

14

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:35 Wincanton

Baddesley

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

towards rear

20/1

Form: P1-047

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Ran creditably in useful event here (2m4f) on most recent hurdles start; well held in novice handicap chase at Kempton later in December but may do better now dropped in class; should make a chaser (point winner); not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Off To A Flyer

12st 0lb

J: Mr Richard Upton

T: Joe Tizzard

made all, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 9th, kept on well from 2 out, comfortably

9/4

1

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Off To A Flyer

12st 0lb

J: Mr Richard Upton

T: Joe Tizzard

Absent since justifying market support at Huntingdon (3m1f, good) ten months ago when returned to hurdles after an unsuccessful spell over fences; the betting may again prove instructive.

9/4

1st

2

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

14:05 Huntingdon

Off To A Flyer

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

made all

6/1

Form: 115/2- D

Last run: 543 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Productive over hurdles in 2021; absent since a respectable effort in Bangor novice chase (2m4f) in July 2022; returns on a favourable mark but minus usual headgear; market can guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd May 2024

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

17:40 Southwell

Not At Present

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Won four times over hurdles (2m7f-3m2f) and is versatile in terms of underfoot conditions; has shown ability over fences, particularly when a close third of five at Doncaster (3m, soft); latest Huntingdon effort was inexplicably poor, though, so best watched at present.

4/1

4

22nd May 2024

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

17:40 Southwell

Not At Present

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Won four times over hurdles (2m7f-3m2f) and is versatile in terms of underfoot conditions; has shown ability over fences, particularly when a close third of five at Doncaster (3m, soft); latest Huntingdon effort was inexplicably poor, though, so best watched at present.

4/1

5

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Not At Present

11st 9lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

never going well, always behind

8/1

Form: 25P1-5

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Bumper/hurdle wins at Warwick; soundly beaten at Wincanton (2m4f) on Boxing Day when making chase/seasonal debut but should do better, as he remains a chasing type (point winner); wears first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

11th Sep 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:35 Uttoxeter

Gaelic Park

11st 6lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Lost his way over hurdles and fences after winning a Warwick maiden hurdle in March 2023 for Charlie Longsdon; has yet to produce an effort of note in this discipline (0-3) but on a good mark if new connections can get him back on track; tries a tongue-tie.

4/1

Form: 14 D

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Successful in point and hunter chase in Ireland; beaten long way when facing tough task in high-quality novice event at Exeter (3m) for new stable; had wind surgery since; open to progress in handicaps and looks one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

Ballydesmond

12st 0lb

J: Mr Michael Treneer

T: Mrs D J Treneer

Hunter chase winner in Ireland but was struggling in points before another modest effort here two weeks ago.

25/1

3

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

Ballydesmond

12st 0lb

J: Mr Michael Treneer

T: Mrs D J Treneer

Hunter chase winner in Ireland but was struggling in points before another modest effort here two weeks ago.

25/1

3

14th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

Ballydesmond

12st 0lb

J: Mr Michael Treneer

T: Mrs D J Treneer

Won a maiden hunter chase in Ireland but that was two years ago and it's been a struggle in four 3m points this year (hooded for the last three); tongue-tie now returns.

20/1

Non-runners

Dream In The Park

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £81.20
Straight Forecast £55.65
Tricast £196.96
Trifecta £559.80

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Gazette Bourgeoise

RP RATINGS:

King's Threshold

LAMBOURN:

Blairgowrie

The Guardian:

Invincible Nao

The Sun:

Off To A Flyer

WEST COUNTRY:

Island Run

SPOTLIGHT:

Abuffalosoldier

D Express:

Earth King

Daily Mirror:

Not At Present

The Times:

King's Threshold

POSTDATA:

Gazette Bourgeoise

Telegraph:

Gazette Bourgeoise

Daily Mail:

Gazette Bourgeoise

Daily Record:

Gazette Bourgeoise

The Star:

Blairgowrie