February 12 / 15.45 Plumpton

15.45

Soft

Big Sprat Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 3f 164y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
SKY
View Course
Big Sprat Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20

Form: -31F41 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Course winner who has had the odd issue with his jumping but he held his own in a useful novice handicap at Kempton on Boxing Day (2m4f, good) and produced another improved run when coming clear at Sandown since (1m7f, soft); up 7lb but has further to go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Kotmask

10st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

His jumping has been an issue this season and he was soundly beaten at Newbury last time; however, two starts ago he was a close second of four there (2m, good to soft) and he has a good record at this track; might not be far away if finding some fluency.

4/1

3rd

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Kotmask

11st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Almost as good as ever this season and he kept on well when 1l second of four over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago; a repeat of that form would see him go close, with a tongue-strap added for the first time in Britain, but a losing sequence is developing and he tends to make mistakes.

7/4

2nd

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Kotmask

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Resurgent in first-time blinkers when second to an improver at Sandown in January (good; fine on soft) and fell midrace back there last time; it's surprising to see cheekpieces back on (beaten 10l in December when tried in them once before) but he has a big effort in him off this mark.

8/1

Form: 5-6331 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Not an instant success over fences but improving steadily and could be named the winner from some way out over C&D last month (soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained); up 5lb but has handicapping scope on hurdle form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Scarface

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time chase winner and his last success was in this race (off 2lb lower) last year; has been in and out this season but he bounced back with a fair third in Class 2 handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) two weeks ago; has possibilities if he can back that up and he's versatile ground-wise.

12/1

3rd

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Scarface

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Inconsistent this season but has finished a good second on two occasions (November/December) and filled the same position in this race 12 months ago prior to beating Heltenham at Newton Abbot; well capable of posing a threat, provided he's back to form.

8/1

5th

5

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Scarface

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Usually wears cheeekpieces; inconsistent (2P2P) this term but sole attempt in blinkers resulted in a good effort at Ascot (2m3f) on penultimate start; could go well in the reapplied blinds.

6/1

Form: 2-3322

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Reliable maiden; just unfortunate he's run up against improving chasers on last two starts, when front-running at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) and Hereford (2m5f, good); bold bid likely but again faces up-and-coming rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:18 Ffos Las

Ballybeen

11st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-11 over fences; well handicapped on some of his placed form for Sam Thomas in 2023-24 campaign but ran poorly on only appearance last season and made low-key reappearance for new stable last month; revival needed.

12/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Ballybeen

11st 10lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-10 over fences when trained by Sam Thomas; ran several good races in defeat and will be suited by today's trip/ground but was out of form when last seen last November; market may guide on stable debut.

10/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Ballybeen

11st 10lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-10 over fences when trained by Sam Thomas; ran several good races in defeat and will be suited by today's trip/ground but was out of form when last seen last November; market may guide on stable debut.

10/1

Form: 25-811 C

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Kept to shorter trips since going close over 2m3f at Stratford (heavy) last April but he needed every yard of 2m at Doncaster after Christmas when following up a Hereford win; versatile tactically and can have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

14th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

13:47 Hereford

Chanceux

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Campaigned in Class 3 contests this term, winning twice (including over C&D) in December; form dipped in last two starts but he has possibilities in this lower grade granted a rebound; all wins on good/good to soft.

11/4

3rd

2

14th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

13:47 Hereford

Chanceux

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Campaigned in Class 3 contests this term, winning twice (including over C&D) in December; form dipped in last two starts but he has possibilities in this lower grade granted a rebound; all wins on good/good to soft.

11/4

3rd

6

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 3

15:27 Hereford

Chanceux

10st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Alastair Ralph

held up in rear, struggling after 4 out

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.50
Straight Forecast £4.92
Trifecta £5.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kotmask

WEST COUNTRY:

Scarface

RP RATINGS:

Ballybeen

POSTDATA:

Chanceux

The Times:

Kotmask

The Guardian:

Kotmask

D Express:

Kotmask

The Sun:

Kotmask

Telegraph:

Scarface

Daily Mirror:

Scarface

Daily Record:

Scarface

TOPSPEED:

Ballybeen

Daily Mail:

Ballybeen

The Star:

Ballybeen