January 29 / 15.30 Hereford

15.30

Good To Soft

Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At PlanetSportBet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6178.77
  • 2m 4f 194y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At PlanetSportBet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 410-51 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Maiden and novice hurdle winner; made a good transition to fences, duly improving on his first go when jumping economically virtually throughout to win a useful Newbury handicap (2m6f, soft) last month; up 3lb; shouldn't have a problem with this sharper test; solid chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Henrys Friend

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Seems best making the running or racing prominently; his six races in the last 14 months have been a mixed bag, with an Ascot win (3m, good) in November the highlight; just 1lb higher today and ran respectably on penultimate start, but his two earlier attempts at 3m6f/4m did not work out; a tongue-tie (worn twice in 2023, with a win on first occasion) returns.

16/1

9th

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Henrys Friend

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Back to form when 5l behind Deep Cave last time at Ascot (3m, good to soft) but he does look vulnerable to better-treated opposition, for all that he's just 2lb higher than for November's win at Ascot; likely to race on the front end.

14/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Henrys Friend

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Record of 4-9 over fences, his best form when winning by 6l at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft; 5lb higher today); disadvantaged when slowly away (from a standing start) in the Ultima at Cheltenham and yet still made a challenge three out before fading; never got competitive in the Scottish National but he wasn't alone; a stiff 3m around here looks up his street; shortlisted.

15/2

12/1

  • Place: £7.10

Form: 1/6-28

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Two hurdle wins in March 2022; just three outings since and although never nearer than at the finish on second chase start, when second of six finishers at Plumpton (2m3f, good to soft) in October, he was beaten a long way out at Doncaster since; shaky win claims after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Deeper Blue

10st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: David Pipe

towards rear, not fluent 4th

20/1

7

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Deeper Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Runner-up in three of his five chases and latest Newbury conqueror (2m7f, good to soft) was well handicapped on a going day; there was near enough 10l back to Abuffalosoldier who had been 2-2 at that track; it's probably strong form for the grade and this 8yo is just 3lb higher now tried in cheekpieces.

6/1

7

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Deeper Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Runner-up in three of his five chases and latest Newbury conqueror (2m7f, good to soft) was well handicapped on a going day; there was near enough 10l back to Abuffalosoldier who had been 2-2 at that track; it's probably strong form for the grade and this 8yo is just 3lb higher now tried in cheekpieces.

6/1

Form: 9-0562 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who won a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) last January; that career stalled a bit but he has scope for fences and there was nothing to knock when runner-up on chase debut at Plumpton (2m3f, soft; first-time tongue-tie, retained); has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Rock My Way

11st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

2-14 record over fences includes some big runs, including when he hacked up at Ascot (3m5f, good) in November and took second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f, soft) on latest outing; the Ascot race was going this way round but so was his penultimate start when he kept jumping to his left at Musselburgh (12l second to Transmission); that's a niggling concern but he's handicapped to go well if this is another good day.

14/1

2nd

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Rock My Way

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 2-13 over fences and doesn't score too highly for consistency; however, flashes of his form read well, notably his second to Haiti Couleurs in last year's 3m6f National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and a clearcut win at Ascot this season; beaten 12l by a revitalised winner at right-handed Musselburgh last time (3m7f, good to soft) but he jumped left at a good few of his fences that day; last year Mr Vango became the first top weight to win since Bonanza Boy in 1991; handles all ground; each-way claims.

14/1

2nd

1

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Rock My Way

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 2-12 over fences but he was second in the 3m6f NH Chase at Cheltenham (good to soft; has won on soft) last March and breezed home 11l in front at Ascot (3m5f, good) in November; disappointing in the Welsh National (rather getting squeezed out at the start didn't help) but he has a big shout if reverting to the Ascot level of performance.

5/2

Form: 21-415

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Sole hurdle win at 3m; element of good fortune when scraping home at Fontwell (2m3f, heavy) on second chase start and a Plumpton fifth next time looks better form now; probably not done with off his current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Visored last three starts and staged a revival on last two, winning well in seven-runner race at Market Rasen (extended 2m7f) 11 days ago; back up 5lb but he used to be capable of a bit better still.

9/1

5

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Was out of form but off a reduced mark he pushed a progressive winner close at Wincanton 19 days ago (3m, good to soft); strong claims if he can build on that.

7/2

1st

5

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Was out of form but off a reduced mark he pushed a progressive winner close at Wincanton 19 days ago (3m, good to soft); strong claims if he can build on that.

7/2

Form: 4P45-P D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Useful form in competitive handicaps to go with four hurdle wins at 2m-2m4f but he made a tentative start to chase career when pulled up at Aintree last month; aptitude for fences to prove at this early stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Harbour Lake

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Won by a neck in this race (good) last year off 1lb lower, having been third in it the year before; 33-1 sixth at Aintree last month suggested he's working his way back to that level, so has to be considered seriously.

8/1

6th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Harbour Lake

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Won a good prize at Haydock (3m, good) last May; pulled up on return to action there in November but better when fourth of seven to Ma Shantou at Cheltenham (3m, good) on New Year's Day; being eased another 2lb can only help this C&D scorer but he requires a big career best as a 10yo.

28/1

1st

1

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Harbour Lake

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Pulled up (bled from the nose) at Cheltenham Festival in March but quickly bounced back with creditable second to Long Draw there (3m, good) last month; on a tough mark now but was placed in this race last year and probably won't be far away.

9/1

Form: 94-314 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won three of five hurdle completions; established himself as a promising novice chaser when winning at Ascot (2m3f, good; has won on soft) in November but his Aintree run since was a letdown; clearly more able than that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

9th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:45 Killarney

Supreme Gift

10st 2lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

Second runner for yard; won five times over hurdles and once over fences when trained in UK; three chase starts for this yard with best run coming when fifth at Limerick; needs a fair bit more.

25/1

16

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Supreme Gift

10st 10lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Useful performer for Henry Daly, winning six races, including an Ascot handicap chase; modest form in two starts for this stable, albeit trip and testing ground probably not ideal on latest; new cheekpieces need to spark.

25/1

Form: F11-4P

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Progressive 2m hurdler last spring, winning last two starts (soft and good); satisfactory chase debut at Newbury but he didn't make a good impression at Kempton on Boxing Day; talented but risky; cheekpieces fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

18:43 Hereford

Russian Ruler

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Ex-Nicky Henderson 8yo whose form hit the buffers last season under both codes; three non-completions in four starts for current yard and reservations remain.

10/1

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

18:43 Hereford

Russian Ruler

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Ex-Nicky Henderson 8yo whose form hit the buffers last season under both codes; three non-completions in four starts for current yard and reservations remain.

10/1

4

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:15 Stratford

Russian Ruler

11st 5lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Progressive hurdler in 2023 when with Nicky Henderson but he couldn't get it together over fences or hurdles last season and no sign of a revival for new yard; best watched with cheekpieces returning in place of a hood.

16/1

Non-runners

Sageburg County

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.90
Straight Forecast £25.71
Tricast £139.04
Trifecta £118.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Henry's Friend

LAMBOURN:

Russian Ruler

TOPSPEED:

Deeper Blue

D Express:

Rock My Way

RP RATINGS:

Sageburg County

The Guardian:

Hardy Fella

POSTDATA:

Henry's Friend

The Times:

Henry's Friend

Daily Mirror:

Henry's Friend

Daily Record:

Henry's Friend

The Sun:

Rock My Way

Telegraph:

Russian Ruler

The Star:

Russian Ruler

WEST COUNTRY:

Deeper Blue

Daily Mail:

Deeper Blue