January 11 / 13.15 Ffos Las

13.15

Soft

DragonBet Towton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £22780
  • 2m 3f 83y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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DragonBet Towton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather:

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 116-F1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Posted a clearcut success in similar event at Sandown (3m, soft; second chase attempt) last month, bouncing back from his Wincanton fall and taking overall record to 5-7; effective at this trip over hurdles; progressive in the main and has leading claims even with 5lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Handstands

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

2m4f Grade 1 novice chase winner last February; a couple of good runs in defeat this term, last time third of five at Windsor (2m6f, soft; first run after wind surgery), but he needs something extra today and there's a suspicion a shorter trip may be preferable; well beaten (over hurdles) on sole run here; cheekpieces go on.

11/1

3rd

1

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Handstands

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Concedes weight all round and he hasn't been able to recapture last season's abundant novice chase promise on his two outings this season; however, he's had wind surgery since last time, which may have helped, and he could be a contender if rediscovering the form shown when winning the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown last February (2m4f, heavy; made all).

4/1

2nd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

14:37 Carlisle

Handstands

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Lost touch after being hampered when one of the favourites for a 3m1f Grade 1 at the Grand National meeting; had won all his completed starts over fences, the pick when edging out subsequent Arkle winner Jango Baie in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (2m4f, heavy; versatile ground-wise); these terms are favourable despite top weight and he will be tough to conquer if on his game.

8/15

12/1

  • Place: £5.50

Form: 211-F4 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Two novice hurdle wins at Wincanton last winter; still had a chance when falling two out at Cheltenham (2m4f) on the switch to chasing but failed to improve at Exeter (2m3f) since and needs to raise his game in this better company; tries a tongue-tie.
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

16/1

Form: U1P/4P D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Successful at this level as a novice hurdler in the 2021-22 campaign; however, has made errors and failed to show his form in two chase starts (2m5f/3m1f) since returning from long absence; enough to prove and, being a 10yo now, time isn't on his side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Hillcrest

10st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

The huge promise he showed as a novice hurdler is a fading memory but he responded well to first-time visor when runner-up under positive ride at Uttoxeter (3m2f, soft) six weeks ago and has obvious claims if in the right mood again here.

3/1

2nd

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 2f 13y

Class 4

15:41 Uttoxeter

Hillcrest

12st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

The huge promise he showed as a novice hurdle is a fading memory and he's found it difficult to get a foothold over fences following a long absence; never going before pulled up at Cheltenham and now tries a visor.

14/1

Form: 16-242 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Personal Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won three-runner novice chase by 17l at Newbury (2m, soft; first-time blinkers) in February but that form is tricky to evaluate, and he was pulled up in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March; still needs to prove he can handle his current handicap mark and that he's fully effective on the forecast good ground.

4/1

15

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Personal Ambition

10st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

He's had jumping issues and should have won a Grade 2 novice chase at Ascot in December 2024 (2m3f, good to soft; bad mistake at final fence); beat just two rivals when getting off the mark in this sphere at Newbury (2m, soft) recently but that was still a very encouraging effort in first-time blinkers (retained); could make a bold bid if minimising the errors.

14/1

1st

3

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

14:15 Newbury

Personal Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Three-time hurdle winner; 0-6 over fences but highly tried on occasions and unlucky not to win a Grade 2 at Ascot last season; disappointed in that same race two months ago but new headgear could help him turn things around.

100/30

12/1

Form: 54-F17 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Perhaps best when able to dominate, having gained both wins from the front, the chase one at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) in November; unable to lead at Kempton on Boxing Day and his jumping suffered; tactics aside, this is a tougher assignment.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Range

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Sam Thomas

Acts on any ground; had very little to spare at Sandown (2m4f) most recently but the runner-up has franked the form since; still competitively treated back up 2lb, assuming he takes to first-time headgear.

8/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Range

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.

7/2

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Range

11st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Did not make any significant further progress after making all for clearcut success at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last November but is still quite lightly raced over fences and makes his seasonal debut from a workable mark; can make a bold bid.

7/2

Form: 2-1122 D BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Resplendent Grey

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won this race (good ground) last year in first-time cheekpieces off a 10lb lower mark; first and second in two small fields this season, alongside two heavy defeats in top handicaps; tried blinkers when fading right out of it at the Cheltenham Festival last time and now reverts to cheekpieces; also back on firmer ground but a new career best is needed.

12/1

15th

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Resplendent Grey

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (extended 3m4f, good) last April in first-time cheekpieces and returned to form when second at Windsor (2m6f, soft) in January; his jumping can sometimes lack fluency but, with first-time blinkers replacing the cheekpieces, he has an each-way chance if minimising the mistakes; fourth of 18 in the NH Chase here (3m6f, good to soft) last March.

16/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Resplendent Grey

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (3m4f, good) last April and reappeared with Listed Intermediate win at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft); also effective on soft ground; however, soundly beaten in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) last time and has something to find today.

10/1

Form: /116-3 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper/hurdles winner who is likely to complete the full set soon, having posted an encouraging effort in Grade 2 at Sandown (3m, soft) on chase debut, finishing 4l third to Handstands; gets a 5lb pull with that rival and should cope with the drop back in distance; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Saint Davy

10st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Three-time hurdles winner is 0-7 chasing, pick of this season's form when placed in 3m1f Carlisle handicap in February; didn't get home on softer ground at Uttoxeter on latest; tough task here upped in trip.

16/1

4th

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Uttoxeter

Saint Davy

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point/bumper/hurdles winner who remains without the full set, being 0-6 since switched to chasing; couple of creditable efforts in cheekpieces this term but needs progress to defy top weight in this field.

7/1

3rd

1

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:40 Carlisle

Saint Davy

12st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Having ended last season in the doldrums he returned to form when third of five in first-time cheekpieces (retained) on last month's reappearance at Windsor (3m, soft); he goes well fresh so it remains to be seen if he'll improve for that latest outing, but he's respected nevertheless.

3/1

Form: 123-31 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Useful mare who completed the full jumps set with her commanding performance in Listed novice event at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft; second chase attempt) last month, adding to her point, bumper and hurdle wins; acts on soft; major contender even with 5lb penalty back against males.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 1

13:15 Ffos Las

Cherie DAm

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful mare who completed the full jumps set with her commanding performance in Listed novice event at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft; second chase attempt) last month, adding to her point, bumper and hurdle wins; acts on soft; major contender even with 5lb penalty back against males.

9/4

9

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 1

13:15 Ffos Las

Cherie DAm

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

prominent

9/4

1st

1

12th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Warwick

Cherie DAm

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Ran well in defeat in Graded novice hurdles on final two starts last season (2m4f/3m, soft) and reappeared with respectable third of three against males on chase debut at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) in October; the return to a left-handed track could suit and she's one to consider.

13/2

Non-runners

Karuma Grey

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.70
Straight Forecast £16.17
Trifecta £16.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Handstands

SPOTLIGHT:

Cherie d'Am

POSTDATA:

Saint Davy

WEST COUNTRY:

Handstands

The Times:

Handstands

Telegraph:

Handstands

The Guardian:

Handstands

Daily Mirror:

Handstands

The Sun:

Handstands

The Star:

Handstands

Daily Record:

Handstands

TOPSPEED:

Cherie d'Am

Daily Mail:

Cherie d'Am

D Express:

Cherie d'Am