January 25 / 12.40 Cheltenham

12.40

Good

Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20812
  • 2m 4f 127y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 45-113 D BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Unsuccessful in his hat-trick bid at Uttoxeter in December but he was running well when almost coming down at the last; previously impressive at Bangor (2m4f, soft) in November and this lightly raced 6yo may not have reached his limit just yet; one of two serious contenders for his stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Jagwar

10st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Improved his rating in every one of his eight chases, winning four and that includes the 2m4f Plate at last year's Cheltenham Festival; first venture much beyond 2m5f had to wait until his return to Cheltenham last month, in which he came from out the back to get within half a length of the winner Johnnywho; that showed he stays 3m1f and suggested he's still capable of better, but his jumping contained unnerving moments; wears cheekpieces first time and a half-brother probably stays 4m.

10/1

2nd

4

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Jagwar

11st 9lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Highly progressive switched to fences last season, a campaign that culminated in a convincing win in the Plate here (2m4f, good to soft) in March; he's kept on well over 2m4f here (good to soft/soft) on both runs this season, beaten just a head last time when 10l clear of the third; today's first crack at a staying trip could prompt further improvement; lots to like.

7/2

2nd

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Jagwar

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Highly progressive 7yo; won at this meeting on soft ground 12 months ago and followed up in the Plate at the Festival; extended his run of excellent C&D efforts with an unlucky third six weeks ago, finishing well after making the odd mistake and being short of room; leading contender again off just 1lb higher.

7/4

Form: 11F-11 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Likeable 5yo with a 5-9 strike-rate; unbeaten over fences, making all at Bangor (2m4f, soft) in October and strong at the finish when following up at Exeter (2m1f, soft) in December; jumped left throughout on second occasion and should be suited by this return to a left-handed track; up in grade today but still has youth on his side and a 7lb rise may not stop him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

1st Mar 2025

Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Billytherealbigred

10st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Often front-runner; overall strike-rate is 5-10; has form figures of 112 since switched to fences, latest effort in notable novice handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) where he beat all bar significant stablemate Jagwar who is a major Cheltenham Festival hope; the type to progress further and Toby Wynne's useful claim offsets a 3lb rise; strong contender.

5/1

2nd

8

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Billytherealbigred

10st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Likeable 5yo with a 5-9 strike-rate; unbeaten over fences, making all at Bangor (2m4f, soft) in October and strong at the finish when following up at Exeter (2m1f, soft) in December; jumped left throughout on second occasion and should be suited by this return to a left-handed track; up in grade today but still has youth on his side and a 7lb rise may not stop him.

4/1

2nd

8

25th Jan 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Billytherealbigred

10st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Likeable 5yo with a 5-9 strike-rate; unbeaten over fences, making all at Bangor (2m4f, soft) in October and strong at the finish when following up at Exeter (2m1f, soft) in December; jumped left throughout on second occasion and should be suited by this return to a left-handed track; up in grade today but still has youth on his side and a 7lb rise may not stop him.

4/1

9/1

Form: 0-2123 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Made a winning start over fences at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November and he has run in a higher grade since, fading when 18l third of five in the Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day; back in a handicap here but he'll need a career best to defy joint top weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Masaccio

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Flat-bred gelding who hasn't convinced on two previous attempts at 3m, the latest a Grade 1 novice at Kempton in December; however, he rallied for third at Cheltenham (nearly 2m5f, soft) in January and kept on well when filling the same position in the Plate at the Festival (extended 2m4f, good to soft); worth another go at this trip and could have a part to play.

3/1

1st

1

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Masaccio

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

in touch with leaders

3/1

3rd

9

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Masaccio

11st 1lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Found immediate improvement for the switch to fences when winning on chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November; useful, persevering efforts in two good 2m4f races since, on that track and when third to Jagwar in a well-contested C&D handicap, and a truly run race kept to this trip will suit; has win possibilities if fitting cheekpieces brisks him up.

7/1

Form: 2-1122 D BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Posted a personal best when close second in Listed novice here (3m, good) in November and he ran respectably despite making mistakes when runner-up in Grade 2 novice at Sandown (3m, soft) next time; should be just as effective back at 2m4f but has to give weight to some promising rivals.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 13-311 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Upwardly mobile 7yo who laid a solid foundation over hurdles and has taken well to fences, thoroughly workmanlike in winning handicaps at Kelso (2m7f, soft) and Ayr (3m, soft); this is tougher, and the step back in distance isn't sure to suit, but he's progressive and commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Whistle Stop Tour

11st 9lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Well beaten/pulled up over fences on his last two starts but has each-way claims on the pick of his form over hurdles this season and Gregor Walkingshaw gets a tune out of him.

16/1

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Whistle Stop Tour

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Wore cheekpieces on last four starts, to be placed twice over hurdles but not faring so well in two chases, including behind Val Dancer at Lingfield (upped markedly to 3m5f) last time; given wind surgery since and now has tongue tied first time; he's now 9lb below last winter's peak mark (even from out of the handicap) so has his chance if back on song.

20/1

Form: 1-1412

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Dual novice hurdle winner; has made a promising start over fences, scoring at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in November and going down narrowly at Ascot (2m1f, good to soft; short of room run-in) five weeks ago; won a 3m point and he's bred to be at least as effective at 2m4f+ under rules; still has untapped potential and he's high on the list.
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

Form: 0-1434 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
A regular over this sort of trip at Cheltenham; typically gave his running when fourth of 11 in the December Gold Cup over C&D (good to soft) six weeks ago; in the mix again but others have fewer miles on the clock.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Guard Your Dreams

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Brought down at the first fence in the Plate at Cheltenham last month; made most of the running when winning easily at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) in February and, although now 8lb higher, he was rated higher over hurdles earlier in his career; versatile ground-wise; one to note.

15/2

8

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Guard Your Dreams

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Fell in the Ultima last March but he has often run creditably over fences here and handles most surfaces; however, he's on his highest-ever chase mark following a Warwick win (about 2m4f, heavy) last month and now looks up against it.

25/1

1st

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Warwick

Guard Your Dreams

11st 2lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Absent since clear second of 14 at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last May but it's worth remembering his narrow C&D (good) win in October 2024 came after a layoff; versatile regarding ground and current mark is workable; a possible.

11/2

Non-runners

Walking On Air

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.10
Straight Forecast £11.63
Tricast £68.64
Trifecta £89.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Billytherealbigred

POSTDATA:

Guard Your Dreams

Daily Mail:

Resplendent Grey

Telegraph:

Jagwar

The Times:

Ryan's Rocket

Daily Record:

Masaccio

RP RATINGS:

Billytherealbigred

TOPSPEED:

Billytherealbigred

The Guardian:

Billytherealbigred

D Express:

Billytherealbigred

Daily Mirror:

Billytherealbigred

The Star:

Billytherealbigred

WEST COUNTRY:

Guard Your Dreams