April 04 / 14.35 Southwell

14.35

Soft

Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4700.09
  • 2m 4f 88y
  • Class 4
  • 3 runners
SKY
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Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 3 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 3431F4 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Immediately looked a better chaser when making all for a 13l success over C&D in February (heavy; just four ran) on his first run over fences; departed early at Kelso and his respectable Sandown fourth was in a higher grade; bit to prove off this mark but strongly considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Imperial Bede

12st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Cheekpieces fitted in last three races; won at Catterick and back to form when a clear second at Haydock (2m4f, good); back up 3lb but still well handicapped on old exploits.

2/1

2nd

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

15:55 Haydock

Imperial Bede

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Evidently not the force of old but he built on an encouraging C&D reappearance when winning in first-time cheekpieces at Catterick (2m3f, soft) in February; made early mistakes when a disappointing favourite at Hereford since but it's possible he'll be happier back on a left-handed course and likely he's still on a winnable mark if putting his best foot forward.

100/30

5th

1

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Imperial Bede

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Evidently not the force of old but built upon an encouraging reappearance when winning in first-time cheekpieces at Catterick (2m3f, soft) a fortnight ago and has good claims here if the headgear continues to aid him.

4/5

OUR TIP

Form: F-4312 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won comfortably at Lingfield on his third chase run (2m4f, soft) but was left for dead by the winner at Leicester after a 7lb rise; remains of interest and cheekpieces are added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Clonakilty

12st 0lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Well treated on 2024 winning form for Olly Murphy; last-time 11l fourth at Sedgefield (2m5f, good) rates a best for his current yard, but he can't afford to repeat that day's constant jumping right.

10/1

4th

2

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 4

13:57 Sedgefield

Clonakilty

11st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Dual 2m4f chase winner on testing ground; well treated on his form of 12 months ago when with Olly Murphy; needs to be much better than in his three starts so far for this trainer; has had wind surgery since last month's Wetherby appearance.

12/1

Form: -73113 CD BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Brother to the classy 2m chaser Nube Negra; his jumping was a joy to behold when winning comfortably over C&D (heavy) in February but the runner-up comprehensively reversed those placings at Leicester, albeit back at 2m (soft); this is probably more his trip; only third when trying cheekpieces once before but wouldn't count that against him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Noche Negra

11st 10lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Jumped well when scoring on his stable debut at Warwick (2m4f, soft) in late 2024 but he hasn't recaptured that form in three runs following a year's absence, pulling up on his last two starts.

11/1

6

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

Noche Negra

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Jumped well when scoring on his stable debut at Warwick (2m4f, soft) in late 2024 but he hasn't recaptured that form in two runs following a year's absence, latterly when found to have an irregular heartbeat back at Warwick in January; cheekpieces back on but risky at present.

12/1

Non-runners

Glencassley, Eyed

Selections

Telegraph:

Glencassley

SPOTLIGHT:

Imperial Bede

The Times:

Noche Negra

POSTDATA:

Clonakilty

Daily Mirror:

Eyed

The Sun:

Noche Negra

RP RATINGS:

Imperial Bede

TOPSPEED:

Imperial Bede

WEST COUNTRY:

Imperial Bede

The Guardian:

Clonakilty

Daily Mail:

Glencassley

D Express:

Glencassley

The Star:

Glencassley

Daily Record:

Glencassley