February 13 / 13.30 Leicester

13.30

Soft

Join Racing TV Now Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 4f 25y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Join Racing TV Now Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/10 (Won)

  • Win: £1.62
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 7701 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Showed little worthwhile form in three hurdles starts; left that behind when switched to fences at Lingfield recently (2m4f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie), winning with more in hand than the official margin suggested; up 6lb but still looks well treated and is open to more improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

16:50 Ffos Las

River Run Free

10st 13lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Regained the winning thread at Leicester (2m6f) in January but back on the regress since, having performed below market expectations at Ffos Las (only third of four finishers) and Leicester (ran dismally).

10/1

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Leicester

River Run Free

11st 10lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Added a second course win when back on track in cheekpieces over 2m6f (good to soft) in January but, while running creditably off 5lb higher, failed to quite match that level when third at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) last month; respected back at this venue on better ground; now tried in blinkers, with Rian Corcoran's claim a plus.

9/4

3rd

3

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

13:52 Ffos Las

River Run Free

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Chase career started well with two wins (2m4f; heavy/soft) and got it back on track when making it 2-3 at Leicester a month ago, winning by 2.5l (2m6f, good to soft); has form claims off 5lb higher but some concerns that he pulled up on previous visit here.

6/4

OUR TIP

9/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 864/3-

Last run: 356 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Placed in bumpers, over hurdles and most recently in a Sedgefield chase (2m5f, soft) 12 months ago, after a lengthy absence; returns from another year off, having dropped 3lb and now with cheekpieces; could be competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

2nd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:00 Southwell

Ceolwulf

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Fionn McSharry

Landed his second win over fences when prevailing at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in March, after finishing runner-up twice; a 4lb rise is workable and he should be thereabouts.

15/8

1st

2

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Ceolwulf

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Fionn McSharry

Won a novice handicap off 4lb lower at Warwick last March (2m4f, good); two sound runs this time, notably when second to an in-form rival at Wetherby last month (2m3f, soft); contender.

100/30

2nd

8

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:35 Wetherby

Ceolwulf

10st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Fionn McSharry

10yo who is lightly raced for his age; progressive in these cheekpieces last season, finishing second at Leicester (2m4f, soft) then first at Warwick (2m4f, good); close second at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) in November on sole outing this term; goes well fresh and entitled to respect.

13/2

12/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 4032P4 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
1-29 (2m4f hurdle winner on soft); fairly treated if judged on best chase effort but needs to better his recent form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Eric Carmen

10st 13lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

In cracking form this season, with three wins and a second, until however he went down by 25l at Bangor (good) on latest start; maybe the ground that day was not soft enough; major player if bouncing straight back.

13/2

6th

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Eric Carmen

10st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

A lot more exposed than many in here but he's been in cracking form since returning from an absence and his defeat at Leicester was no backward step (2m4f, good to soft); firmly in the mix.

3/1

2nd

3

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Leicester

Eric Carmen

11st 9lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Has thrived since returning from a break in December, winning two of his three runs over hurdles before adding a third win of the season reverting to fences at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) last month, each time under Benjamin Macey; he's up 4lb for last time but is very much a leading contender in current form.

5/4

Form: 84894-

Last run: 350 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in six starts; chase debut at Ludlow latest (3m, soft) offered hope that things can improve but still has that to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Yes And Yes

11st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Appreciated the step up in trip when landing his second race over fences at Stratford (3m3f, good) last month; up 5lb and needs to back that up over this slightly shorter distance.

7/2

1st

7

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Yes And Yes

10st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Belinda Clarke

Sole success over fences came at Chepstow in March last year off 2lb higher; soundly beaten since and steps up to beyond 3m for the first time; down to a career-low mark and needs this extra test of stamina to bring out improvement.

5/1

Form: 653011 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Has kicked on since returning from a break last December, winning here (2m, soft; first-time hood) and at Catterick (1m7f, soft), both when not far off the pace; up 6lb but he looked to have more to come last time and this longer trip could help him find it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

15:55 Hexham

We Got Your Back

11st 4lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: L J Morgan

Has won three races over fences, the latest off this mark over C&D in October (good); has not been in top form last few starts; could bounce back.

11/2

8th

6

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell

We Got Your Back

11st 7lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: L J Morgan

Has only won over fences (three times) and still held some sort of chance when unseating nine days ago at Market Rasen; his hurdle form isn't so convincing, though.

20/1

5

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

14:57 Market Rasen

We Got Your Back

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

Has won three chases, the latest at Hexham in October; not at his best on last two runs but on a fair mark now and could go well.

7/1

Form: 2/PD2-6

Last run: 262 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
14-race maiden under rules; has been placed in a C&D maiden hunter chase (good), as well as being disqualified here after finishing second (heavy) 12 months ago; below par in both a point and a Cartmel hunter chase last spring; could be competitive if ready after a lengthy break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Worcester

Ultra Viers

10st 5lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Phillippa Taylor

Longstanding maiden who has been struggling over fences and he's out of the weights here.

50/1

5th

10

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

15:10 Uttoxeter

Ultra Viers

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Phillippa Taylor

Quite well handicapped on last spring's form but was well beaten when back on good ground at Hereford in March and is now 0-24 under rules.

16/1

6th

8

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:30 Hereford

Ultra Viers

10st 2lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Phillippa Taylor

Didn't run badly when last of four finishers at Leicester (2m4f, good to soft; just behind Jack Doyen) this month, after a break, and will be suited by this forecast good ground but he's 0-23 under rules and remains difficult to enthuse over.

8/1

Form: PPP540 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
2m4f hurdle winner (good); well treated on his hurdles form with Olly Murphy but has plenty to prove on the majority of his chase efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

13:30 Leicester

Storm Of Light

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Rob Summers

2m4f hurdle winner (good); well treated on his hurdles form with Olly Murphy but has plenty to prove on the majority of his chase efforts.

33/1

10th

9

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

15:10 Ludlow

Storm Of Light

10st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Stringing together some chasing completions now, and this would be miles easier than the class 3s he's contested the last twice (70l behind L'Eau Du Sud in a 0-140 latest); could still jump more tidily.

20/1

10th

9

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

15:10 Ludlow

Storm Of Light

10st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Stringing together some chasing completions now, and this would be miles easier than the class 3s he's contested the last twice (70l behind L'Eau Du Sud in a 0-140 latest); could still jump more tidily.

20/1

Form: 58-PP7

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
0-7 under rules and showed little in two chase starts last month, since a break; visor replaces cheekpieces; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

13:30 Leicester

Wexford Park

10st 10lb

J: James Best

T: Gary Hanmer

0-7 under rules and showed little in two chase starts last month, since a break; visor replaces cheekpieces; others preferred.

50/1

7th

10

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:08 Catterick

Wexford Park

10st 3lb

J: James Best

T: Gary Hanmer

Placed in his two Irish points in 2023 but has accomplished little in six races under rules, pulled up this term in both his chases (3m, soft); now tries cheekpieces.

33/1

10

22nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:08 Catterick

Wexford Park

10st 3lb

J: James Best

T: Gary Hanmer

Placed in his two Irish points in 2023 but has accomplished little in six races under rules, pulled up this term in both his chases (3m, soft); now tries cheekpieces.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.70
Straight Forecast £11.15
Tricast £61.72
Trifecta £69.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

River Run Free

The Times:

We Got Your Back

RP RATINGS:

River Run Free

POSTDATA:

River Run Free

Telegraph:

River Run Free

The Guardian:

River Run Free

Daily Mail:

River Run Free

D Express:

River Run Free

Daily Mirror:

River Run Free

The Sun:

River Run Free

The Star:

We Got Your Back

Daily Record:

We Got Your Back