July 05 / 16.35 Newton Abbot

16.35

Good

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5888.31
  • 3m 1f 170y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/10 (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 30/541 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Three point wins; soft ground possibly to blame when a slightly disappointing favourite on May's chase debut (2m5f) but bolted up on good ground over C&D ten days ago, albeit that was a weak contest; in a deeper race but not yet fully exposed and the one to beat under his penalty (due to race off 9lb higher in the future).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Worcester

Hold Your Fort

12st 0lb

J: Mr James Murray

T: Debra Hamer

Seven-time chase winner who developed into a useful performer last season; below form at Uttoxeter recently and tricky to weigh up over hurdles but still looks tempting, given he's 27lb lower in this sphere.

5/1

9th

7

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Hold Your Fort

10st 11lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Debra Hamer

Chase record is 7-20, the most recent success in veterans' contest at Ascot (3m, good) in March; couple of sound efforts since demonstrate that he remains in form aged ten; faces a tougher assignment off current mark in this field, however.

12/1

3rd

4

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Hold Your Fort

10st 9lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Debra Hamer

Made all in three-runner contest at Ascot (3m, good) in March and arguably bettered that form when close/clear second at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) last month; might be a shade vulnerable off new mark but at least we know he's in excellent nick.

5/2

7/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 5PP3-1 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
3-7 over fences, battling well to score at Fontwell (3m2f, good) last month from a subsequent winner; up 5lb but he pulled a long way clear with the runner-up last time and remains open to further progress over fences; respected with blinkers added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Doctor Foley

12st 1lb

J: Miss Ellie Holder

T: Anthony Ward-Thomas

Dug deep to win low-grade Fontwell handicap (3m2f, good) for Anthony Honeyball last spring but has struggled in both points for new stable this year and faces another tough task here.

66/1

3

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Doctor Foley

12st 1lb

J: Miss Ellie Holder

T: Anthony Ward-Thomas

Dug deep to win low-grade Fontwell handicap (3m2f, good) for Anthony Honeyball last spring but has struggled in both points for new stable this year and faces another tough task here.

66/1

7th

3

26th Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

17:35 Uttoxeter

Doctor Foley

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Three-time chase winner, most recently when holding on well at Fontwell (3m2f, good) in May; bumped into a massive improver when well-held second at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good; first-time binkers) this month; ought to be on the premises again here.

5/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 1333-4

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
1-8 over fences and mostly running well but he can throw in the odd modest effort and wasn't at his best behind Doctor Foley at Fontwell in May last time out; could well leave that effort behind back today and he needs considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:00 Hereford

William Ewart

10st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Just 1-10 over fences but ran well in defeat in first-time blinkers at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in August and was placed (over hurdles) on both previous visits to Hereford; no surprise if he features.

8/1

2nd

9

22nd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

William Ewart

10st 10lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

prominent, good jump and led 4th, joined 10th, headed 4 out, not fluent 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner from 2 out

7/1

3rd

5

5th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

William Ewart

10st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

1-8 over fences and mostly running well but he can throw in the odd modest effort and wasn't at his best behind Doctor Foley at Fontwell in May last time out; could well leave that effort behind back today and he needs considering.

7/1

Form: 0PPP-U

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Maiden pointer; achieved little in four starts over hurdles and unseated mid-race on handicap/chase debut here ten days ago; makes little appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

3rd Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

Radharc Na Slaine

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: David Rees

Only 1-16 over fences but it was his first run after wind surgery when coming from off the pace for a closing third at Bangor (3m, good) last week; that's something to build on and Sean Bowen is back.

5/1

3rd

8

26th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

18:33 Bangor-on-Dee

Radharc Na Slaine

10st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: David Rees

Came good with narrow win off lowly mark at Stratford (2m6f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in September but last month's reappearance run was disappointing; given another wind op (his second) since; others are more persuasive.

10/1

6th

9

5th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:22 Ffos Las

Radharc Na Slaine

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: David Rees

1-14 as a chaser; won at Stratford in September (2m6f, good) and fair efforts since then; can go well if fitness isn't an issue on first run since October.

10/1

Form: P37-2P

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
0-13 over fences but 6lb out of the weights when suffering a narrow defeat at Fakenham (2m5f, good) on penultimate start in May before pulling up in a deeper race here (2m5f, good) since; unraced beyond 3m1f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

14:40 Plumpton

Noahs Light

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Won off a lowly mark at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) in summer 2024, but his form this spring was not particularly inspiring and he's 8lb out of the weights on this first appearance in five months.

20/1

5th

9

25th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:43 Fontwell

Noahs Light

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Richenda Ford

Won at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) last summer and ended last season with two fairly respectable runs, latterly when sixth in C&D race won by Millies Mite one month ago, but is out of the weights again today.

20/1

5th

9

25th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:43 Fontwell

Noahs Light

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Richenda Ford

Won at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) last summer and ended last season with two fairly respectable runs, latterly when sixth in C&D race won by Millies Mite one month ago, but is out of the weights again today.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: P6P-44 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Two handicap chase wins (2m5f/3m2f) here last spring/summer; form tailed off later but took a step back in the right direction at Ffos Las in May, with cheekpieces refitted, and off his lower hurdles mark here (good) last month, without the headgear; back on a good mark and player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

19th Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:22 Newton Abbot

Honey Im Good

10st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

The last of four chase wins was in August 2024; she's building some momentum after a long absence having pushed Edgewell close over C&D a month ago; that was under a 10lb claimer but she has to be considered.

7/2

2nd

5

23rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:50 Newton Abbot

Honey Im Good

11st 4lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Mrs C Williams

Four-time chase winner (once over C&D); soundly beaten over hurdles in February, after a long absence, and didn't achieve much when third of four at Fakenham (2m7f, good) in April; reverts to chasing on a good mark but her current ability is hard to gauge.

12/1

3rd

3

13th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

15:40 Fakenham

Honey Im Good

11st 0lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Well handicapped on 2024 hurdle/chase form and shaped with a fair but more promise than eventual 40l defeat might suggest at Sedgefield (3m3f, good to soft) in February, after a long absence; ought to be better suited by the forecast faster ground here; interesting.

11/2

Form: P-0365 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Four chase wins at up to 3m5f, most recently in September 2021; well treated on old form but beaten 34l by Doctor Foley at Fontwell in May and has plenty to find, having not really shone in two runs since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Friends Dont Ask

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Clare Ellam

Four-time chase winner and has been in good form since May barring his penultimate race; never far away when runner-up at Bangor last week (3m, good) and must have every chance once more.

8/1

2nd

5

26th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

18:33 Bangor-on-Dee

Friends Dont Ask

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Clare Ellam

Four-time chase winner; returned from break with three good efforts this spring, including a C&D third (good), but looked very laboured when well beaten at Southwell 17 days ago; needs to bounce back.

8/1

4th

5

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

Friends Dont Ask

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Clare Ellam

Four-time chase winner; no longer the force of old but returned from break with three placed runs last month, losing out only by a short head at Fontwell (3m2f, good) last time; can make his presence felt again.

6/1

Form: 1P/P

Last run: 59 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner in 2022 and made winning British/hurdle debut that November but something amiss when pulled up early two weeks later; weak in the market when pulled up back from absence at Hereford in May on handicap debut and can only be watched on chase debut; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

5th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

Tara Line

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Syd Hosie

Irish point winner in 2022 and made winning British/hurdle debut that November but something amiss when pulled up early two weeks later; weak in the market when pulled up back from absence at Hereford in May on handicap debut and can only be watched on chase debut; cheekpieces added.

25/1

4

7th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

19:30 Hereford

Tara Line

11st 13lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Syd Hosie

Irish point winner in 2022; successful British/hurdle debut at Leicester (2m4f, good to firm) that November but something clearly amiss when pulled up early two weeks later and off since; check market on handicap debut.

12/1

4

7th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

19:30 Hereford

Tara Line

11st 13lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Syd Hosie

Irish point winner in 2022; successful British/hurdle debut at Leicester (2m4f, good to firm) that November but something clearly amiss when pulled up early two weeks later and off since; check market on handicap debut.

12/1

Form: 724-58

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
2m5f chase winner (soft) last spring when 2lb lower but form has regressed since wind surgery in March; will not mind any ease in the ground but needs to find some spark back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:27 Worcester

School For Scandal

10st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Five-time chase winner, most recently at Windsor (3m, good to soft) in the autumn; back on a good mark now but he's not easy to predict and has been pulled up on two of his last three outings (bled from the nose last time); others preferred.

16/1

7

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

School For Scandal

10st 9lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Joe Tickle

Two more chase wins in 2025, the latest at Windsor (3m, good to soft; suited by good) in November; often battled with unsuitable ground over the winter but 4lb lower than at Windsor so has a weights chance.

10/1

Form: 34CP-9

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won since 2021 (3m, good) and has failed to build on a respectable third in a Market Rasen handicap chase in December (carried out once); has plenty to prove from out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

5th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

Enforcement

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Hasn't won since 2021 (3m, good) and has failed to build on a respectable third in a Market Rasen handicap chase in December (carried out once); has plenty to prove from out of the weights.

33/1

9th

12

30th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Warwick

Enforcement

10st 2lb

J: Miss Louise Chance

T: Martin Keighley

Fair third in a Market Rasen handicap chase in December; has not fared as well since (latest run on Flat on the AW); has stiff task from 17lb out of the handicap.

50/1

8th

10

(1)

1st May 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

13:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Enforcement

10st 2lb

J: Miss Louise Chance

T: Martin Keighley

in touch with leaders

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.10
Straight Forecast £7.38
Tricast £25.03
Trifecta £38.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hold Your Fort

WEST COUNTRY:

Doctor Foley

The Star:

Honey I'm Good

The Times:

Friends Don't Ask

Telegraph:

Doctor Foley

The Sun:

Doctor Foley

Daily Record:

Doctor Foley

RP RATINGS:

Hold Your Fort

POSTDATA:

Hold Your Fort

The Guardian:

Hold Your Fort

Daily Mail:

Hold Your Fort

D Express:

Hold Your Fort

Daily Mirror:

Hold Your Fort