September 20 / 17.30 Newton Abbot

17.30

Good

Ashley Maunder Never Better… Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6344.58
  • 3m 1f 170y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Ashley Maunder Never Better… Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: /54111 CD

Last run: 61 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
A massive improver this summer, winning three in a row over C&D (good/good to soft) and shooting 38lb up the ratings; the form of his game success in higher-grade company two months ago has worked out very well in the meantime, and further progress is possible.
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

6/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: P-4461 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won twice within a week here last summer (2m5f/3m2f) and seemed to respond very positively to first-time visor when bouncing back to form to beat Great D'Ange at Stratford (3m3f, good to firm) last month; not sure to be in the same mood today but remains very well handicapped.
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

6/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: PP-412 CD BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Caused 80-1 shock over C&D (good) when back over fences last month, his second start for Barry Brennan, and ran big race in defeat behind Honey I'm Good at Stratford (3m3f, good to firm) a few days later; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

19th Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:22 Newton Abbot

Great DAnge

11st 8lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Four-time chase winner but badly out of sorts before finishing second to a surprise winner over C&D 16 days ago (visor returned); remains to be seen if he'll be as good again and he may need more anyway.

13/2

2nd

1

3rd Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

Great DAnge

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Four-time chase winner but nothing positive to report over fences or hurdles in his last four races.

25/1

9th

8

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

20:50 Stratford

Great DAnge

10st 10lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Has four wins over fences but yet to score in this sphere; has shown nothing in his three runs for current yard.

50/1

Form: 3-5545 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 12st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Very useful in his prime but has regressed and become inconsistent; easily reeled in when ridden very positively on latest outing in July; younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Musical Slave

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Cashed in on historically tiny marks for this season's Fontwell (3m2f) and Taunton (3m4.5f) successes, and remains competitively treated; found the funereal pace against him last time; no ground concerns.

15/2

3

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Musical Slave

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Cashed in on historically tiny marks for this season's Fontwell (3m2f) and Taunton (3m4.5f) successes, and remains competitively treated; found the funereal pace against him last time; no ground concerns.

15/2

4th

4

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

16:13 Exeter

Musical Slave

11st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

jumped left on occasions, didn't always jump with fluency, raced in fourth, outpaced 4 out, weakened 2 out

4/1

Form: 45-227

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Didn't fire on latest outing ten weeks ago but showed the benefit of a wind op when gong close in consecutive C&D chases (both on good) in June and has obvious claims if judged on those efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

16:05 Taunton

Langley Hundred

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Dual chase winner this season, latterly over C&D (good to soft) in December; just a respectable third at Hereford (3m1f, good) this month and remains on a fairly tough mark but the return to this track is a plus.

4/1

3rd

2

8th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:45 Hereford

Langley Hundred

11st 7lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Has plenty of chasing experience and was a dual winner over fences towards end of 2024, once over C&D on good ground; back up to his career-high mark now but still features prominently in calculations.

2/1

1st

7

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Langley Hundred

11st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Opened chasing account at Hereford (3m1f, good) last month and bettered that performance when close second over C&D (good) 18 days ago; more exposed than some of these but likely to be right in the thick of things.

4/1

Form: -72312

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
0-12 over hurdles but beat 12 rivals to score on chasing debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) in July and bumped into an improver when second over that C&D this month; a possible if stamina holds out over this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:45 Taunton

A Definite Getaway

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

A dual winner (at about 3m) last April but he's not been seen since coming in a well-held third of five in 3m2f handicap chase at Newton Abbot ten months ago; he needs to hit the ground running.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: P/628-

Last run: 159 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Proved he retains significant ability when close second at Stratford (2m6f, good) last autumn, after a break, but wasn't seen again until a heavy defeat in April, and it's hard to know what to expect from him after his latest absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

20th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

17:30 Newton Abbot

Minella Buster

12st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

disputed lead, swerved sharply right and badly hampered rival before 1st, led clearly 2nd, went clear before 4th, reduced lead 8th

14/1

8th

2

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Minella Buster

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Last season started well before he lost his way; however, he does seem best when fresh and was returning from 153 days off when going close at Stratford in October (2m6f, good); over this more suitable trip, after a break, he has to be of interest.

7/1

8th

2

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Minella Buster

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Last season started well before he lost his way; however, he does seem best when fresh and was returning from 153 days off when going close at Stratford in October (2m6f, good); over this more suitable trip, after a break, he has to be of interest.

7/1

Form: 3-32F1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Probably posted career-best performance when making all to beat Pilot Show at Fontwell (3m2f, good) three weeks ago and is now 4-14 over fences; might not enjoy things all his own way in this bigger field, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

17:30 Newton Abbot

Jigginstown King

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

disputed lead, badly hampered and unseated before 1st

7/1

1st

4

30th Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Jigginstown King

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

made all, jumped well, stayed on run-in, ridden out

8/1

10

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Worcester

Jigginstown King

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

disputed lead

6/1

Form: -31462 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
In good form since the spring, most notably when scoring at Warwick (3m, good) in May; nudged back up to career-high mark since chasing home Jigginstown King at Fontwell (3m2f, good) last month but ought to be in the shake-up again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

17:30 Newton Abbot

Pilot Show

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

prominent, badly hampered and dropped to rear 1st, detached and struggling 7th, rallied and joined main group before 13th

6/1

2nd

3

30th Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Pilot Show

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

jumped right on occasions, raced in second, pressed winner last, stayed on

11/2

6th

8

21st Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Pilot Show

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

His second win over fences when a clearcut winner at Warwick (3m, good) but only fourth here next time and behind Galloping Pride; did make a bad mistake four out that day which didn't help.

6/1

Form: U/61P- D

Last run: 298 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Returned to form to win by 8l on chase debut at Hereford (3m1f, good) last October but we haven't seen him since a very laboured effort the following month, and it's hard to tell whether he'll be in the right mood here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

14:05 Market Rasen

Braganza Bay

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

All five career wins gained in Huntingdon or Hereford staying handicaps (one chase); cashed in a career-low mark to the tune of 11l at the former venue latest (good), to which the assessor's reaction has been swift and punitive; back to requiring a likely personal best to follow up.

5/1

1st

6

7th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

Braganza Bay

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Dual C&D winner; not at best since returning from one-year absence in November and was particularly disappointing when pulled up over fences last month; needs a revival but is back hurdling on a tempting mark.

9/2

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

Braganza Bay

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Has won two of five handicaps here, hurdles and fences (C&D; good), but he hasn't yet found his form since back from an absence and now tackles fences for the first time since pulling up twice at the end of 2024; below latest winning mark but questions remain.

7/2

Non-runners

Marettimo

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £41.00
Straight Forecast £40.47
Tricast £374.92

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hold Your Fort

POSTDATA:

Pilot Show

TOPSPEED:

Langley Hundred

RP RATINGS:

Great d'Ange

The Star:

Honey I'm Good

WEST COUNTRY:

Marettimo

Daily Record:

A Definite Getaway

The Times:

Pilot Show

Daily Mirror:

Langley Hundred

Telegraph:

Great d'Ange

The Guardian:

Hold Your Fort

Daily Mail:

Hold Your Fort

D Express:

Hold Your Fort