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

1st

6

26th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:42 Uttoxeter

Hold Your Fort

11st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Debra Hamer

Multiple chase winner who did well last season but he failed to fire behind Imperial Alex in last month's Summer Cup here and was no better returned to hurdles 16 days ago.

20/1

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

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

3rd

5

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:30 Newton Abbot

Honey Im Good

10st 9lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Mrs C Williams

Four-time chase winner who went close over C&D in June on third run back from a long absence, before tailing off behind My Girl Katie here last month; a player if that is forgiven, with promising Rian Corcoran booked.

12/1

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

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

6th

2

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:30 Newton Abbot

Great DAnge

11st 12lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Four-time chase winner who has returned to form on his last two starts, both over C&D, latest when just under 2l behind My Girl Katie; 2lb better off with that rival despite a 3lb rise and should be thereabouts again.

11/4

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

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