March 02 / 13.55 Newbury

13.55

Soft

BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 2m 3f 187y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.40

Form: F-1382 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Completed a hat-trick last season when winning a C&D handicap last March with plenty up his sleeve; opened account for this campaign in a novice hurdle and returned to something approaching his best form when a rallying second last week at Kempton (2m4f chase, soft); same mark for this but it's a rise in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Heltenham

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

All chase wins around 2m4f, including win at this meeting last year; Newbury specialist who landed fourth win at that track when bagging valuable handicap for second time on penultimate start; never won off a mark this high and drop back down to 2m also asks a question but he's impossible to rule out.

3/1

4th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Heltenham

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Back to something like his best last time, registering a second success in the Greatwood Gold Cup and taking C&D record to 4-6; won this contest in 2023 and 2024; back up the weights but commands respect kept to a scenario that suits him ideally.

9/4

1st

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Heltenham

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 3-5 at Newbury features a success in this contest two years ago; proved no match for Twinjets in most recent course start and was a faller in last two handicap attempts (out of depth in Grade 1 since); however, holds a major chance off current mark provided he's in top form.

10/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: -2212P CD BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Sole representative for a yard that's won this race nine times since 2004; failed to land any sort of blow in a strong 3m handicap last time at Doncaster but that was his first time out of the top two over fences; beat a solid yardstick over C&D (good to soft; won on soft; unraced on heavy) in December before coping well upped to Grade 2 level at Ascot; looks a better horse going left handed (can jump that way) and plenty to like if turning a blind eye to that last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Kandoo Kid

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Negotiated these fences in dashing style when staying-on third in the 2m5f Topham (soft) last April and returned from wind surgery to win the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (upped to 3m2f, good to soft) in November from Broadway Boy; 7lb higher today; had a run at Newbury five weeks ago and, although there are slightly mixed signals with that display and whether he will be suited by this distance, he looks set for a bold show.

20/1

17

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Kandoo Kid

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Negotiated these fences in dashing style when staying-on third in the 2m5f Topham (soft) last April and returned from wind surgery to win the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (upped to 3m2f, good to soft) in November from Broadway Boy; 7lb higher today; had a run at Newbury five weeks ago and, although there are slightly mixed signals with that display and whether he will be suited by this distance, he looks set for a bold show.

20/1

8th

1

1st Mar 2025

Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Kandoo Kid

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Grand National hope who landed the big 3m2f handicap here (good to soft; sole outing this term) in November, taking Newbury record to 2121; not crying out for this drop back in trip but ran well in this race last year and warrants respect kept to a course that suits him well.

7/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: -7246U D

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Only 1-14 over fences; jumps well on his day but prone to mistakes as he reminded us when blundering himself out of contention early on at Kempton last weekend; even with a trouble-free round this is tougher than he's accustomed to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Gustavian

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Solid performances in notable handicaps this season, winning the Badger Beers at Wincanton then fourth in the Stayers' Veterans' Final at Sandown and Ladbrokes Trophy over C&D; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years; respected back down in class.

9/4

4th

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Gustavian

10st 12lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Jumped well and dominated throughout in the Badger Beers at Wincanton (3m1f, good; handles softer) and gave it another good go off this 8lb higher mark at Sandown; assured competition for the lead here has to reduce his appeal.

25/1

7th

7

1st Mar 2025

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Gustavian

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

didn't jump with fluency, disputed lead, hit 5th

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 37-12U

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Good juvenile hurdler for Paul Nicholls; sound jumping was a feature when a 4l winner on his return to fences (stable debut) in a 2m3f soft-ground handicap at Ascot but came up short in a small field at Exeter and was nudged up another 2lb for that; got no further than the first last time with the cheekpieces back on; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Sir Psycho

10st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: 12123- D

Last run: 318 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Just 2lb higher than when edged out in this 12 months ago (well clear of two course specialists) and ran every bit as well in another defeat next time at Cheltenham (again good ground); today's softer conditions shouldn't hold him back and, although absent since April, his trainer has no doubt targeted this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

17

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Gemirande

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won good handicaps at Ascot (2m5f, good) and Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) towards the end of last year; a case can be made on that form but three lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.

50/1

18th

17

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Gemirande

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won good handicaps at Ascot (2m5f, good) and Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) towards the end of last year; a case can be made on that form but three lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.

50/1

17th

10

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Gemirande

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Found a new level of form in late 2024 with wins at Ascot (2m5f, good) and over C&D (good to soft); disappointing here next time but he was still going well when nearly down three out over C&D in January and the 6lb higher mark than for his latest win may not be beyond him; considered for yard that's won this race three times.

12/1

Form: 1-3848 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Only 2lb higher than when seen to such good effect over Aintree's National fences in winning last season's Topham Trophy (2m5f, soft); the fire has yet to burn in the same way this campaign, though perhaps stretched by 3m1f+ in two December runs and a bad mistake was the start of his capitulation back over 2m4f at Cheltenham; better expected this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Bill Baxter

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

10yo won this last year off 126 (yielding); mixed bag this term, undergoing wind surgery after third start and good comeback run when second in 3m Kelso handicap in February; mistakes when pulled up in Topham at Aintree but remains of interest.

12/1

22

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Bill Baxter

10st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Warren Greatrex

10yo who won this in 2023 (soft); he's had his ups and downs since but won at Punchestown (3m, yielding) last May and bumped into a well-handicapped novice when runner-up at Kelso (2m7f, heavy) last time, following wind surgery; could give a good account and be involved.

25/1

2nd

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Bill Baxter

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Uncharacteristically below par at Market Rasen four weeks ago; however, he's had a wind op since and two starts ago he ran pretty well when sixth in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f, soft); this is less competitive than that penultimate assignment and he won here in 2022 on his sole previous run here.

4/1

Form: 411-14 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Perhaps some of his rivals were a tad cold when he won an unsatisfactory Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) when several fences were omitted; brought back down to earth when a remote fourth at Cheltenham and looks vulnerable with top weight (Dylan Johnston's claim at least welcomed); fine on soft/heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Jetoile

11st 4lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: W J Burke

Smart performer in Britain back in the day; went point-to-pointing over the winter and held in hunter chases lately; unlikely.

16/1

5th

10

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Jetoile

11st 7lb

J: Mr L P Shanahan

T: W J Burke

Very useful hurdler/chaser in Britain in his prime; couldn't contain Lifetime Ambition in a point back in November; fair third to Journey With Me at Cork last month but he went from the front and was readily left behind.

10/1

3rd

6

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:10 Cork

Jetoile

12st 0lb

J: Mr E Mahon

T: W J Burke

Very useful hurdler/chaser in Britain in his prime; no appeal on his points form, which has been poor since a 12l second behind good yardstick Lifetime Ambition at Turtulla in November.

14/1

Form: 5-514U D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Winning for a third time over fences when doing it comfortably at Wetherby in November (2m3f, heavy) and coped well with the stiff rise in grade to finish fourth at Cheltenham the following month (2m4f, soft); failed to get beyond the first fence back there on Trials' Day; appeals as a chaser with more to offer in races of this nature; big shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Grandeur DAme

10st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Well treated on the pick of his Cheltenham form at about this trip, as when just touched off by Moon d'Orange last January, but he was pulled up last time out and these very competitive races tend to be beyond him.

40/1

6

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Warwick

Grandeur DAme

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Has rather mixed record over last couple of years but gave good account when keeping-on third in valuable Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and will be suited by the slower ground here.

9/2

1

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Grandeur DAme

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Not much went to plan on his final two starts last season but he enhanced his very good record when fresh with a good win at Chepstow (2m3f, good) last October and bettered that performance when very close second in valuable Cheltenham race (2m4f, soft) in January; major player.

7/2

Form: 2/11-1 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Defends an unbeaten record over fences (3-3); it was over 3m when seeing it out best at Kempton (soft) three weeks ago but the drop in trip shouldn't inconvenience this strong traveller and a greater concern would be the 'bounce' factor with that win coming on the back of a long absence; however, he's progressive and was put up only 3lb; ran well on heavy in a bumper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Highstakesplayer

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Tom Lacey

held up in rear, midfield 4th, prominent 8th, pressed winner approaching last, kept on

4/1

2nd

2

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Highstakesplayer

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Tom Lacey

held up in rear, midfield 4th, prominent 8th, pressed winner approaching last, kept on

4/1

7

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Highstakesplayer

10st 8lb

J: David Bass

T: Tom Lacey

Record of 4-8 over fences; admittedly 0-3 this term and failed to show his form the last twice; good second over C&D on seasonal debut and has place possibilities on that effort.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.50
Straight Forecast £47.07
Tricast £425.79
Trifecta £598.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Highstakesplayer

Telegraph:

Grandeur D'Ame

WEST COUNTRY:

Kandoo Kid

RP RATINGS:

Bill Baxter

POSTDATA:

Heltenham

TOPSPEED:

Gemirande

The Times:

Highstakesplayer

D Express:

Highstakesplayer

Daily Mirror:

Highstakesplayer

The Star:

Highstakesplayer

Daily Record:

Highstakesplayer

Daily Mail:

Kandoo Kid

The Guardian:

Grandeur D'Ame

The Sun:

Grandeur D'Ame

LAMBOURN:

Bill Baxter