November 24 / 13.40 Exeter

13.40

Good

Coreus Foundation Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 3f 48y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Coreus Foundation Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: P211-F D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Point runner-up who won two novice hurdles at Wincanton (2m4f/2m5f, soft/heavy) last winter, and he was bang in contention when falling two out on last month's handicap and chase debut at Cheltenham (2m4f, good; jumped well otherwise); likeable prospect for his in-form yard and he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Lord Of Thunder

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Off the mark over fences at the fourth attempt in Newbury handicap in February (2m7f, soft; Pic Roc second); also effective on good going; merely mid-division in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham since but he's back in a less competitive race here and he could tap back into his previous promise.

14/1

4th

5

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Lord Of Thunder

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

in touch with leaders, not fluent 2nd

14/1

Form: 6/403- C

Last run: 295 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Made mistakes when fair third in this race two years ago on his sole chase start; kept to hurdles since and he's been lightly raced and inconsistent; however, he ran well on last season's reappearance and was a good third at Sandown this February when last seen; not ruled out now back chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Dubrovnik Harry

11st 13lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Lightly raced 9yo who's had mixed form and no win in handicaps, but he was third in a valuable race at Sandown (2m7f, good to soft) last February off today's mark; having another go at fences may explain a lesser show two months ago on his only appearance since.

8/1

5th

1

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 3

13:10 Plumpton

Dubrovnik Harry

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Lightly raced 8yo with flashes of good form to his name over hurdles, last time finishing third in a strong Sandown handicap in February (2m7f, good to soft); made mistakes when a well-held third in his previous chase two years ago but can be given another chance.

2/1

5th

1

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 3

13:10 Plumpton

Dubrovnik Harry

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Lightly raced 8yo with flashes of good form to his name over hurdles, last time finishing third in a strong Sandown handicap in February (2m7f, good to soft); made mistakes when a well-held third in his previous chase two years ago but can be given another chance.

2/1

Form: 21U1-3 D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Point and bumper winner who was 2-4 over hurdles last season (2m4f/2m3f, soft/good); reappeared with promising third on last month's chase debut at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) and could build on that; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

The Doyen Chief

11st 3lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Better chaser than hurdler, third win coming in 3m Kempton handicap in January (good); better again when second in better-class contest over same C&D following month, disappointingly never counted in Ultima at Cheltenham latest; possibly best going right-handed so could go well here, especially if ground continues to dry out.

12/1

9th

15

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

The Doyen Chief

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Won at Kempton (3m, good) in January and good second in competitive handicap there (3m, good to soft) last month; could give another good account but he didn't quite stay when fifth here (extended 3m2f, good to soft) in December and it's possible he'll again prove vulnerable up the hill.

33/1

2nd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

The Doyen Chief

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Closely matched with Deep Cave on their Bangor clash in November (soft) and, back at 3m from 3m2f, he dug deep for a course win last month (good); only went up 1lb for that and the runner-up ran well in defeat last weekend at Ascot.

8/1

Form: 12242- BF

Last run: 222 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo who was a creditable fourth of 17 in the EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in March on his sole run in a handicap hurdle; also effective on good to soft; he's well thought of and open to further improvement now tackling fences on his reappearance; possible player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Dartmoor Pirate

10st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Anthony Honeyball

Tongue-tie brought about improvement with wins over the winter in handicaps at Lingfield and valuable 3m Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster (soft); reportedly never travelled when unseating at latter venue in February however and given time off since; can't rule out.

14/1

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Dartmoor Pirate

11st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

He's 2-2 since the tongue-tie went on and, although it looked unlikely for much of the race, he stayed on much the best in the 3m Great Yorkshire Chase here a month ago (soft); he'll need to travel a bit better if he's to defy the 5lb rise but the extra 2f should help.

6/1

1st

8

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Dartmoor Pirate

10st 12lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

7yo who produced a career-best to win at Lingfield (2m6f, good to soft) last month, in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) in his third chase; had just four rivals to beat and he's up 7lb in a hotter race, but he had plenty in hand and could have more to offer over fences; effective on soft.

9/1

Form: 2716-

Last run: 222 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Very mixed form thus far in light rules career but he won a maiden hurdle in good style at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in March and this 3m point winner could be suited by the switch to fences and the step back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Kempton

Denemethy

12st 1lb

J: Mr Harry O’Dwyer

T: Fergal O’Brien

Consistent since sole chase success and has solid handicap form this season; receives hardly any respite from the assessor but gets other help on this occasion, with Harry O'Dwyer taking off 7lb.

11/4

3rd

1

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Denemethy

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Consistent since sole chase success and has solid handicap form this season; latest effort, in Sandown Class 2, received a boost when the winner followed up in Grade 2 event on Saturday; respected at this level.

6/5

Form: 3614-4

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Point and maiden hurdle (2m4f, soft) winner who was an encouraging fourth of 14 on last month's chase and seasonal debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft); this lightly raced 7yo is in top hands and could improve for that latest outing; wears first-time cheekpieces; in with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Theformismighty

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Held on well to exploit reduced mark in Newcastle handicap (2m7f, heavy) in January but was quickly back in the doldrums when pulled up (albeit in valuable race) at Doncaster last month; this hunter chase debut is much less competitive but it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task.

11/2

13

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Theformismighty

10st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Exploited what was a very good mark at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) and the front two pulled clear; raised only 3lb for that but consistent he is not; others safer.

12/1

1st

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

Theformismighty

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Represents top southern stable and he's very well handicapped on last season's best form; could stage a revival at some point but he struggled in the autumn on his last three starts and there's also a stamina query.

8/1

Form: 5122-2 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Made all in maiden hurdle here (2m, soft) last December and went very close on handicap debut here (2m2f, good to soft) in January; respectable second of five on last month's chase debut at Newton Abbot and this 3m point winner is open to improvement now upped in trip; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Royal Jewel

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won over C&D (good to soft) in the autumn and he got back on the scoresheet at Taunton (2m7f, heavy) in February; ran another good race when third at Taunton (good) last month and he should be in the mix again on this drop back in trip.

9/1

3rd

1

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

Royal Jewel

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Gained his second success of the season over C&D last month; up 3lb but he remains unexposed over this sort of trip and is not taken lightly.

3/1

1st

2

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:45 Taunton

Royal Jewel

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Returned from layoff with two good runs (one win) over 2m5f in the autumn and bounced back quickly from a lesser effort when third at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) just after Christmas; not yet proven over this far under rules but seems versatile ground-wise and can make his presence felt.

13/8

Non-runners

Bucksy Des Epeires, Welcom To Cartries

Verdict

Several useful chasing prospects. Top of the list is the Paul Nicholls-trained WELCOM TO CARTRIES, a point winner who was second in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Doncaster in January. Dartmoor Pirate ran really well when fourth in the EBF Final at Sandown in March and is second choice ahead of Lord Of Thunder, who was running well on his chase debut at Cheltenham until falling two out. Theformismighty and Royal Jewel are open to improvement on their second chase starts.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

The Doyen Chief

WEST COUNTRY:

Lord Of Thunder

TOPSPEED:

Theformismighty

The Times:

Royal Jewel

SPOTLIGHT:

Welcom To Cartries

Telegraph:

Lord Of Thunder

The Star:

Lord Of Thunder

POSTDATA:

The Doyen Chief

D Express:

The Doyen Chief

Daily Mirror:

The Doyen Chief

Daily Record:

The Doyen Chief

The Sun:

Theformismighty