November 22 / 13.05 Chepstow

13.05

Good To Soft

DragonBet Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4700.09
  • 2m 0f 11y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
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DragonBet Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 021-14 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won Irish point in late 2022; not seen again for more than a year but he won two 2m novice hurdles in the spring (soft and good); found wanting in a Grade 2 here in October but of more interest now handicapping on his chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Ryans Rocket

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Firmly in the picture judged on his handicap win at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November and he drops back in trip today having weakened over 2m4f at Kempton last month; not ruled out but he made mistakes last time and has unseated on two of his last four starts; needs to cut out the blunders.

9/1

6th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Ryans Rocket

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

One of two hurdle wins came on this track; two later chase wins, at Chepstow and Newbury, also came at about 2m (good to soft) but he has a good chance of staying this far and is a better jumper than suggested by two unseats from his last three starts; interesting.

5/2

22

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ryans Rocket

10st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Reserve; second-season chaser who won a shade cosily on reappearance at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November and, although there was still a fair way to go, he was travelling nicely when unseating five out at Kempton (2m, good) in December; there is a firm suspicion he's an improved performer this season and he's one to consider.

8/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: P53P-2

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Not a lot to go on in his early starts in bumpers, points and over hurdles but he gave it a really good go in a novice handicap chase over C&D (good to soft) 16 days ago and clearly has some potential over fences; this isn't easy pickings though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Lucky Lugger

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

On a losing run but he fared better than of late when third of eight over C&D 22 days ago; he needs considering eased 2lb.

11/2

3rd

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:15 Leicester

Lucky Lugger

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Matt Sheppard

Won at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) last February but he's been pulled up in three of his last six runs and was a well-held fourth of six at Ffos Las last time; now 7lb lower than for his last win but he needs a big turnaround.

12/1

4th

1

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Ffos Las

Lucky Lugger

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Matt Sheppard

Out of sorts since a couple of sound performances, including an account-opening win, last February; chance of revival depends on how well he responds to added cheekpieces.

14/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: P02-41 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Often has gaps between races, not to speak of ups and downs in them, so hard to be sure he'll repeat an impressive recent show at Newton Abbot (2m, heavy; back from wind surgery); however he did look good there so an 8lb higher mark may not prove excessive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Western General

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Back to form after a second wind op, posting career-best RPRs when scoring at Chepstow in February and when runner-up at Hereford the following month (both at 2m); has his best form over shorter but shapes as though this trip should suit and he commands respect on that recent form.

2/1

2nd

1

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 3

14:52 Hereford

Western General

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Last year's winner on good ground; bounced back to form after wind surgery to beat four rivals at Chepstow (2m, soft) two weeks ago, making virtually all; back up 5lb but has leading claims again.

6/4

1st

4

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Western General

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Made excellent progress over fences last season, winning three times (1m7f-2m, good-heavy), but ended that campaign with a poor run and has not been at his best this term (three starts); needs last month's wind op to have made a difference.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: /1176- BF

Last run: 258 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Smart in bumpers; looked to have handicap potential after winning 2m4f maiden and novice hurdles (heavy and soft) but unable to justify favouritism in a valuable Sandown event in March; an earlier 2m run wasn't a great success but he could get away with a return to the trip on this tough track now switched to fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Hasthing

11st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

held up in rear, not fluent 6th

12/1

6

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Hasthing

11st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

held up in rear, not fluent 6th

12/1

Form: 1423-2 D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Just 1-10 over hurdles but it didn't take him long to get his eye in on his chase debut at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) and he gave a bold show from the front until headed at the last (next two home have won since); looks sure to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Just Over Land

10st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Two chase wins towards the end of last year (2m3f, good to soft) and did well to finish third of five at Sandown (2m4f, soft) last month having made mistakes; pulled up over 3m4f last January on sole previous run beyond 2m5f but he's worth a go at this trip; could go well if finding fluency.

9/1

3rd

3

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Just Over Land

11st 3lb

J: Mr Harvey Barfoot-Saunt

T: Sam Thomas

Returned to win handicap chases at Fontwell and Chepstow (both 2m3f, good to soft) in November/December; fared about as well as could be expected from 10lb out of the weights when fourth of 12 in a valuable Premier Handicap at Cheltenham (just short of 2m5f, good) on New Year's Day; respected with his sights lowered.

4/1

5

13th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 3

14:40 Leicester

Just Over Land

10st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Yet to score over fences and he has failed to progress since a promising second at Ffos Las (2m) in October; didn't stay 3m4f when pulled up in Windsor handicap chase 25 days ago but more is still needed on this drop back in trip.

10/1

Form: 62/714

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; three 2m5f hurdle wins since, the latest on second run back from an absence, at Hereford in October, but he wasn't the same horse next time and goes chasing with something to prove now back at 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:32 Bangor-on-Dee

Gris Majeur

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Got off the mark over fences at Ludlow (2m4f, good to firm) last October and has been placed on all five starts since; drops back in trip which may not be in his favour.

7/2

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Gris Majeur

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in four runs since including when runner-up at Chepstow (2m7f) 11 days ago; should go well again and all of his wins have been on good/good to firm.

9/2

2nd

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Gris Majeur

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in three runs since including over 3m at Taunton; should go well again and it would be a positive if the ground dries out.

5/1

Form: 5436-4

Last run: 192 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
In the frame in three of four hurdles, returning to form at Southwell (2m, good; first-time hood, retained) in May; goes straight into a handicap on chase debut but it's likely that easier options await later.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Jackpot Cash

11st 4lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Won two chases and two hurdles on good/good to soft in 2025, including over this C&D last February; wasn't at his best in the autumn but wouldn't rule out completely.

8/1

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Jackpot Cash

11st 13lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Did very well for new stable in first half of this year, winning two hurdles and two chases; unseated rider in a chase this month, after a break, but could plausibly still have more improvement to come; respected.

7/2

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Jackpot Cash

11st 13lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Did very well for new stable in first half of this year, winning two hurdles and two chases; unseated rider in a chase this month, after a break, but could plausibly still have more improvement to come; respected.

7/2

Form: 9432-0

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has shown ability in maiden hurdles at about 2m this year but not much on latest start and this looks an awkward start to his handicap and chase career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

20th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Warwick

Rangatira Jack

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Linda Blackford

Sole success came at Exeter off 7lb higher in April last year; has slipped down the weights but placed for the first time since when second of six finishers at Ffos Las (2m5f, good) 15 days ago; cannot dismiss.

5/1

2nd

7

5th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:22 Ffos Las

Rangatira Jack

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Linda Blackford

1-19 overall, though the win did come over fences; however, hasn't fired for a while, despite attracting market support on his return to hurdles last time.

14/1

4th

9

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

17:40 Exeter

Rangatira Jack

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Linda Blackford

2m3f chase winner here (good) 12 months ago; 0-6 over hurdles; well beaten over fences on his last four starts; bit to prove back hurdling.

11/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.70
Straight Forecast £25.51
Tricast £106.76
Trifecta £128.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Just Over Land

SPOTLIGHT:

Hasthing

TOPSPEED:

Western General

POSTDATA:

Lucky Lugger

Telegraph:

Just Over Land

The Sun:

Just Over Land

Daily Record:

Just Over Land

The Times:

Hasthing

D Express:

Hasthing

Daily Mirror:

Hasthing

Daily Mail:

Western General

The Star:

Western General

The Guardian:

Lucky Lugger