March 16 / 15.35 Uttoxeter

15.35

Heavy

bet365 Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
ITV4
View Course
bet365 Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.00
  • Place: £6.50

Form: P32P1P

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Has produced shockers in two of his last three starts but he won the race in between over 2m4f on heavy at Haydock when coming clear at the finish; this far shouldn't be an issue provided his jumping stands the test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Regal Blue

11st 7lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent 9yo who often looks very unenthusiastic; made all in valuable novices' handicap chase at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) in March 2024 but absent since two lacklustre runs at end of that year; had wind in September and now sports first-time cheekpieces; this first run after a layoff might be a good day to catch him in the right mood, but others are much less risky.

25/1

3

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Regal Blue

11st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent and pulled up on last month's reappearance at Bangor but he may have needed the run and this lightly raced 7yo could be tailor-made for today's assignment in view of last season's best efforts, including two fine runs on heavy ground here and a win at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) in March.

8/1

3

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Regal Blue

11st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent and pulled up on last month's reappearance at Bangor but he may have needed the run and this lightly raced 7yo could be tailor-made for today's assignment in view of last season's best efforts, including two fine runs on heavy ground here and a win at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) in March.

8/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 2-2U44 C BF

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Progressive hurdle form last season included a course win on soft (unraced on heavy); excellent second to class act Stay Away Fay on chase debut at Exeter in November (3m, good to soft) but he's finished well beaten in his final two runs, latterly when favourite for his handicap debut in this discipline; did make a bad mistake four out that day and, if avoiding a similar mishap here, he has the class to be very competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

The Changing Man

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unfair to knock his strike-rate of 1-12 over fences as he's run some crackers in defeat, with four seconds last season including a strong C&D handicap and the Ultima at Cheltenham in March; quite likely that he was over the top when last to finish in the 3m1f Grade 1 novice at Aintree; tough, consistent and much respected despite a challenging mark.

100/30

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

The Changing Man

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unfair to knock his strike-rate of 1-12 over fences as he's run some crackers in defeat, with four seconds last season including a strong C&D handicap and the Ultima at Cheltenham in March; quite likely that he was over the top when last to finish in the 3m1f Grade 1 novice at Aintree; tough, consistent and much respected despite a challenging mark.

100/30

3rd

7

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

The Changing Man

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 1-11 over fences, the success in a Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot that essentially fell apart; however, he's proved very consistent in good handicaps otherwise this term, second at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f, good to soft) most recently; again likely to give his running.

10/1

Form: 6-3111 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Now 3-3 since fitted with cheekpieces but it was hard work in justifying short odds and a 7lb rise (for previous win) in a small field at Catterick last month (3m1f, heavy); only 2lb higher for this but he's tackling classier opposition and could meet his match.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Val Dancer

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Last season was one to remember, winning the Welsh National and later second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; 0-4 this campaign but it's been anything but a washout and he should be dangerous off this mark, for all that he's made his name over further.

4/1

4th

4

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Val Dancer

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Won last season's Welsh National (extended 3m6f, soft) off 3lb lower and second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; near that form on second start this term, before a lesser show (weak in the market) in the Surrey National at Lingfield; needs to be back at his peak and there are mixed messages.

8/1

4th

4

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Val Dancer

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Bettered underwhelming seasonal debut when placed over the big Aintree fences (3m2f, soft) last month and remains only 4lb higher than when winning last season's Welsh National (3m6f, soft); high on the list.

6/1

Form: -20131

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Placed but unable to win over hurdles; has soon put that right as a chaser in going 2-3, albeit in small fields and less competitive races than this; handicap mark hasn't really gone anywhere so just a question of whether he can deal with today's classier opposition; conditions won't stop him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

2nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:40 Doncaster

Hauraki Gulf

11st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

pressed leader, weakened after 2 out

4/1

9

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Hauraki Gulf

10st 5lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Deborah Cole

Scored twice over fences early last year (once on heavy); 0-10 over hurdles but runner-up in eight of those, including at Warwick (3m2f, soft) on latest start when he blundered at the final flight but looked booked for second anyway; this race looks too tough.

16/1

9

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Hauraki Gulf

10st 5lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Deborah Cole

Scored twice over fences early last year (once on heavy); 0-10 over hurdles but runner-up in eight of those, including at Warwick (3m2f, soft) on latest start when he blundered at the final flight but looked booked for second anyway; this race looks too tough.

16/1

Form: 24-339

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Doesn't look as good as he was but extreme distances (3m7f/4m1f) were too far the last twice and he was a close third over 2m5f at Carlisle to kick off his season; has dropped to a good mark and this race could be a nice fit for him; should be fine on the ground and the return of cheekpieces is no bad thing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Christopher Wood

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Smart hurdler and useful chaser in his prime but on a losing wicket over fences for a long time; perhaps he'll be all the better for a return to hurdles, for the first time in three years, but that's up in the air.

14/1

3rd

3

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Christopher Wood

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

led

14/1

3rd

4

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:40 Hereford

Christopher Wood

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Very useful hurdler/chaser in his prime but has regressed and become inconsistent; ran very poorly in Lingfield marathon last month and needs to respond very positively to the addition of blinkers here.

9/1

Form: -12213

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Consistent in Irish handicap chases (2m4f-2m5f; soft or heavy) since returning from a long absence and ran right up to his best last time at Naas; getting high in the weights but has left a strong impression that stepping up to this trip could enable him to deliver another personal best; has worn cheekpieces in his last three starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Evies Vladimir

10st 0lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Gavin Cromwell

Two chase wins on heavy in the 2023/24 season; sole piece of form this season came when second to an improver over 3m at Navan in similar ground, well held the last twice at 3m4f including in National Trial here; 6lb wrong.

25/1

6th

3

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 4f 61y

16:55 Leopardstown

Evies Vladimir

11st 11lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Two chase wins on heavy in the 2023/24 season; pulled up on Cork seasonal return but more like it at Navan next time when a runner-up (3m, soft to heavy); moderate Punchestown run next time and pulled up at Navan in February (3m, heavy); 16l ninth in a Listed handicap at Punchestown later in the month was an improvement (3m4f, heavy); Donoghue rides for first time since 2024.

14/1

9th

15

15th Feb 2026

3m 3f 60y

15:00 Punchestown

Evies Vladimir

10st 9lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Gavin Cromwell

Two chase wins on heavy in the 2023/24 season; failed to find his best form last season; pulled up on Cork return; more like it when second to shorter-priced stablemate The Lovely Man over 3m at Navan December; moderate run at this venue last month, tailed off at Navan last Sunday; questions to answer.

20/1

Form: 959011 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
A combination of new cheekpieces and the return to a staying distance (just under 3m; soft/heavy) has triggered a return to form in going back-to-back in handicap chases for mares; has gone up 5lb for the latest and that perhaps didn't take a great deal of winning with her two rivals hindered by their jumping; should give her running nonetheless.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

13th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

15:10 Fakenham

Fortunefavorsdbold

11st 13lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Suffered early mishap three starts ago but placed on other four outings this season, most recently when second ay Exeter (3m, good) three weeks ago; ran poorly on only previous visit to Fakenham and would appeal more on ground slower than good but still features prominently in calculations.

5/2

2nd

2

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:37 Exeter

Fortunefavorsdbold

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Christian Williams

Suffered early mishap on penultimate outing but placed on other three starts this season, most recently when clear second to dual subsequent winner at Leicester (2m6f, heavy) last month; might not be ideally suited by the much quicker ground here but still commands respect.

15/8

Non-runners

Marsh Wren

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £75.40
Straight Forecast £64.17
Tricast £234.61
Trifecta £313.70

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Val Dancer

SPOTLIGHT:

The Changing Man

The Star:

Fortunefavorsdbold

POSTDATA:

Marsh Wren

D Express:

Hauraki Gulf

Daily Mail:

Christopher Wood

Daily Record:

Fortunefavorsdbold

The Times:

Val Dancer

The Guardian:

Val Dancer

The Sun:

Val Dancer

Daily Mirror:

Marsh Wren

RP RATINGS:

The Changing Man

WEST COUNTRY:

The Changing Man

Telegraph:

The Changing Man